Ooni Koda
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Newsfeed
  4. /
  5. Bucharest hosting International Odessa Literature Festival Thursday to...

Bucharest hosting International Odessa Literature Festival Thursday to Sunday

March 20, 2024

The 9th edition of the International Odessa Literature Festival, which has become itinerant due to the war in Ukraine, will take place from Thursday to Sunday in Bucharest, with more than 20 events - poetry recitals, debates, film screenings and musical moments."Hosted at the Goethe-Institut Bucharest, this year's edition of the International Odessa Literature Festival opens on Thursday at 17,00 with a message from the two founders of the project, cultural managers Ulrich Schreiber (Germany) and Hans Ruprecht (Switzerland), followed by a message from Laura Napolitano, director of the Italian Institute of Culture in Bucharest and president of EUNIC Romania, the institution under the umbrella of which the project takes place," the organisers said, according to a press release sent on Wednesday.Ukrainian Ambassador in Bucharest Igor Prokopchuk joined the organisers and will greet the audience at the opening event.In anticipation of their arrival in Bucharest, some of the writers invited to this year's edition of the festival sent their thoughts to the Romanian literature lovers."I believe that every international writers' meeting is a good opportunity to exchange ideas about literature and politics. I hope we can actively listen to each other. If we believe that literature is a universal tool of understanding, we can use it for discussion, not for fighting," said Ukrainian writer Vasyl Mahno - poet, essayist and translator, who investigates in his books the concepts of homeland and memory, reflecting the polyphonic past of his place of origin.According to Mahno, "if war comes upon them in their homeland, writers must become its defenders when their country is brutally attacked." "This is why many Ukrainian writers write literature and essays about war and participate in international festivals. Many of them serve in the army and fight on the fronts. In this period, literature becomes a mouthpiece of these times, because it has to be heard," he added."Literature in times of war is both an escape from the terrible reality and a weapon, because it is impossible not to write about war," said ahead of his visit to Bucharest writer Yuriy Vynnychuk, a living legend of Ukrainian literature, tireless critic of the political system, regarded as the most versatile of contemporary Ukrainian writers.According to the organisers, Swiss writer Ariane von Graffenried, spoken word author, member of the "Fitzgerald & Rimini" duo and curator of the Basel International Poetry Festival, speaks about the power of literature to give voice to literature in her message sent in advance to Romanian readers: "Metaphors do not help against people with guns. And beautiful verses cannot heal wounds. Literature, however, can create a community here and now, it can offer comfort, it can express anger and it can be a witness to both the beautiful and the hateful. Literature can give the dead a voice and make them sing."For Italian writer Ilaria Gaspari, known for her passion for podcasts dedicated to the works of famous writers, this year's travelling edition of the Odessa International Festival is an opportunity to remember the horrors of the two world wars."Literature is not a weapon, because literature does not destroy; and it is indeed unarmed and vulnerable to war, but with the collective force of a mouthpiece that spreads words and thoughts. It is not a form of escape, but an open refuge, that is, open to protect against horror," said the esteemed Italian writer.

Read in full - click here
June Communications strengthens its management structure. Bianca Caragea appointed as Operations Manager

The agency plans to expand its team and reach a turnover of EUR 450,000 by year-end. June Communications (JUNE), a business-to-business PR and integrated communications agency, has appointed Bianca Caragea as its new Operations Manager. The step strengthens the agency’s management team as it enters a new stage of growth after seven years of sustained […]

Western Romania: Babeș-Bolyai University establishes endowment fund

The Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca (UBB) has established an endowment fund, which the institution described as a "strategic" financial mechanism aimed at supporting academic excellence and ensuring the long-term sustainability of university projects. The initiative is a first of its kind in the local academia, UBB said. The endowment fund involves attracting donations/financial resources and […]

Romanian authorities reportedly mulling access fee for the Transfăgărășan mountain road

Romanian authorities are reportedly considering imposing an access fee for the Transfăgărășan mountain road. The funds would be used for setting up decent parking areas, selecting merchants, and similar initiatives.  The beautiful, winding road is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country. Local authorities say the funds from an eventual toll would […]

J Balvin to perform in Dubai for first time at Untold Festival

Colombian reggaeton superstar J Balvin will perform in Dubai for the first time this November, headlining Untold, the globally recognized festival born in Romania. The event will take place from November 6 to 9 at Dubai Parks and Resorts, featuring more than 100 international acts across five stages.  The festival is staged in partnership with […]

Over 17% of Romanians faced severe material deprivation in 2024, Eurostat says

More than 17% of Romania’s population faced severe material and social deprivation last year, which was one of the highest shares in the EU, according to the statistical bureau of the European Union - Eurostat.  In 2024, 6.4% of people in the European Union faced severe material and social deprivation, a slight decrease compared to […]

Animal rights march to take place in Bucharest in October

The Freedom and Respect for Every Earthling association will hold the March for Animal Rights in Bucharest on October 4, to mark International Animal Day. The march will start at 11 AM at the National Theater Park, and will go on to Piața Victoriei. Organizers say they aim to bring to the forefront the suffering […]