Welcoming authors from the region and beyond, the eighth edition of the Polip Literary Festival brings readings, panels and more to Prishtina from May 18-20.
For the eighth consecutive year, the Polip International Literature Festival will host dozens of events over a three-day period, serving as a platform for literary readings, panel discussions and musical performances from local, regional and global artists.
With around 30 guest writers, the festival’s theme “Literary Republic” strives to cover many topics from nation states and the desire for independence to women’s rights and fascism. Organizers, Qendra Multimediaa cultural NGO and a theater troupe, described the festival as “a zone to freely discuss the future of the world”.
“Polip is always linked to contemporary political realities. This year, the debate will mainly focus on the struggle for independence in the world, particularly in Catalonia and Iraqi Kurdistan,” said Lendita Idrizi, the festival coordinator. “As Kosovo is also in a similar situation, there will be an exchange of experiences between local and foreign authors.”
Some of the authors presenting their work at the festival are winners of the Leipzig Book Fair Prize Clement Meyer; Nikola Madzirov, whose poetry inspired the compositions of musician Oliver Lake; the Catalan writers Susanna Rafart and Laura Huerga; member of the Berlin Academy of Arts Anne Cottenand much more.
Idrizi said that when Polip started in 2010, his main goal was to bridge the gaps between authors in the region.
“The initial aim of the festival was to bring together authors from Balkan countries, particularly to enable collaboration between Serbian and local writers,” she explained. “Over the years, we have invited more and more international authors. »
The program includes three round tables, one on Saturday and two on Sunday. The first, entitled “Building a radically progressive society: a women-led revolution in Rojava”, will focus on the women’s movement in Kurdistan and the parallels with the Balkan countries.
The second discussion, entitled “Language and secession: contexts and policies,» five panelists will talk about the link between language and national identity, particularly in the context of the former Yugoslavia and the link between language policies and secessionism.
The final panel, “The Birth of Fascism from the Spirit of Poetry”, will look at literature as a driver of ideology, focusing specifically on the example of Gabriele D’Annunzio, whose ideas influenced Italian fascism.
Besides the three main readings, one for each day, the festival will also organize a complementary program of discussions and readings with authors, three in Prishtina, one in Prizren and one in Ferizaj.
All events are free and open to the public.
Read the full program here.
