The Paros Symposium was founded by Susan Gevirtz and Siarita Kouka in 2004 to foster translation and exchange between Greek and Anglophone poets, translators and scholars. We meet annually to translate our own poetry or that of other poets, discuss the cultural circumstances in which we work, and to give readings. While our focus is on translation, working to bring Greek poetry into English and vice versa, we also envision a forum in which a diverse group of artists with different aesthetics and linguistic repertoires can engage in generative conversation. Participants range from those who actively translate between Greek and English, to those with partial or no knowledge of Greek but an interest in Greek literature and culture, to those who translate from other languages and write on cross-cultural poetics. Most if not all of the Greek participants are fluent in English. Though we Americans and other Anglophones are acutely aware of this linguistic imbalance, symptomatic of larger global inequities, we believe there is still much to learn from dialogue, however imperfect our knowledge of the other language. Since 2005 the Symposium has been held at "The House of Literature," a residence for writers in the idyllic mountain village of Lefkes, on Paros island. With a sea view and lots of peace and quiet, it is an excellent place in which to work.
The House of Literature is maintained, and all residencies and events that occur in it, are sponsored by the European Center for the Translation of Literature and the Human Sciences (EKEMEL) (http://www.ekemel.gr/index2.html). Through the generosity of EKEMEL Symposium participants have the use of a small number of rooms, a kitchen, computers, and public spaces at the House of Literature. In 2007 The Symposium was guest and co-organized by U.S. poet Eleni Stecopoulos and University of Athens poet and Professor of English Liana Sakelliou. In 2008 Susan Gevirtz will be organizing on behalf of the anglophones and Siarita Kouka and Liana Sakelliou will be co-organizing for the Greeks. Participation and guest organizing are by invitation. Our schedule includes morning meetings in which we break into groups in order to work on translating one another's poetry, evening readings by the invited Greek and Anglophone poets, and informal talks and/or roundtable discussions. All participants need to cover the cost of their own travel and other expenses. For further information please contact us.
Introduction to the 2006 Symposium by Susan Gevirtz
* For a glimpse of work translated at the 2006 Symposium see Five Fingers Review, issue #24, special section edited by Symposium participant Tiff Dressen due out in spring 2008, will be found at: http://www.fivefingersreview.org/
*Thanks to Eleni Stecopoulos for some of the content on this page
Webmaster / Developer
Daniel Gray
Site Admins
Tatiani Rapatzikou