In an event that promises to blend cultures and captivate audiences, the Cervantes Institute in Cairo (the Spanish Cultural Center) is set to host a free interactive literary evening dedicated to contemporary European literature. This cultural festivity is scheduled for 7:00 PM on Wednesday, November 20th, at Access Art Space in downtown Cairo.

The event, a collaborative effort with the Czech Cultural Centers, the Embassy of the Czech Republic, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Sefsafa Publishing House, and NORLA (Norwegian Literature Abroad), forms part of the third edition of the “Literary Night” project, launched by the Czech Cultural Centers in 2006 and conducted worldwide.

Audiences will be treated to readings of excerpts from works by contemporary European female authors. These readings will be performed interactively in Arabic, with translations from Spanish by Egyptian actress Naglaa Younes at Access Art Space on Al-Nabarawy Street; from Norwegian by poet and radio presenter Nesma Abdelaziz Al-Barai at Townhouse on Hussein Pasha Al-Maamari Street; and from Czech by singer Salma Desouki (Luka) at The Hangar Art Gallery on Hussein Pasha Al-Maamari Street.

The readings will take place simultaneously at 7:00, 8:00, and 9:00 PM, allowing the audience to experience a rotation of literary voices and venues. Attendees can also participate in a competition to collect stamps from each location, with the chance to win valuable prizes.

This evening aims not only to celebrate contemporary European literature but also to highlight the importance of linguistic diversity and the burgeoning field of literary translation. It offers a unique platform for authors to connect with readers, publishers, translators, and other literary professionals, fostering a vibrant cultural exchange and creative dialogue.