The current political climate has been defined by border enforcement and wall-building, and our geopolitical maps are being sliced and policed with little care for the individual lives affected. A similar trend is defining our reading habits: “translation makes up only 2.5% of all publications in the UK, with a figure of 4.5% for literature.” Regardless of its rich multicultural past and present, the UK has been slow in welcoming foreign voices into its literary landscape; now is a crucial moment that calls, like never before, for listening to the experiences of others.

Thanks to independent publishers who are going against the tide, translated literature is gaining recognition from both international literary prize committees and readers in the UK. Join us for a conversation about translation and independent publishing with people who are shaping the contemporary Scottish literary scene. Speakers include Allan Cameron (Vagabond Voices, Glasgow), Samuel MacDowell (Charco Press, Edinburgh), Annie Rutherford (Women in Translation Reading Group, Edinburgh) and Peter Graves (University of Edinburgh). Take the opportunity to meet your favourite new publishers and purchase their books at the venue!

Refreshments and BookWeek swag (including the new Rebel book) will be available for free at the event. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Vagabond Voices is hosting this event in partnership with BookWeek Scotland.