Literary translators are the closest readers of a text. Yet, when a text bears witness to abuse, to war, to horror, what does that demand of the translator?
In this discussion, hear from three acclaimed translators: Marguerite Feitlowitz (Information for Foreigners: Three Plays by Griselda Gambaro), Natasha Lehrer (A Hymn to Life by Gisèle Pelicot), and Sandra Smith (But You Did Not Come Back by Marceline Loridan-Ivens), as they discuss the emotional toll of translating works that confront trauma and historical violence.
Moderated by translator and author Michael Eskin (The Emprise of Poetry: Durs Grünbein, America, Antisemitism and the Pursuit of Liberty), this conversation will explore both the personal costs to the translator and the necessity of bringing these works across languages.
