On October 21, European Studies hosted a reading and discussion with acclaimed author Fatma Aydemir and her translator, Jon Cho-Polizzi. The event, sponsored by European Studies and co-sponsored by the Center for German and European Studies and GNS+, offered attendees the chance to dive into the world of Aydemir’s novel Djinns and explore the intricacies of literary translation.
The evening began with a reading of excerpts from Djinns in both German and English, allowing the audience to appreciate the nuances of Aydemir’s writing and Cho-Polizzi’s translation. Following the readings, audience members had the opportunity to engage directly with the author and her translator, asking questions and sharing their own interpretations of the novel.
Aydemir and Cho-Polizzi provided valuable insights into the creative process behind Djinns, discussing the challenges and rewards of translating a complex work of literature. They delved into the cultural and historical context that shaped the novel’s themes and characters, fostering a deeper understanding of the world Aydemir sought to portray.
The event further solidified the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s European Studies reputation as a leading center for German studies and international literary discourse.
“The University of Wisconsin’s German Program is a really dynamic place,” said Cho-Polizzi, “and it’s also one of those rare humanities departments in U.S. academia with a lot of younger junior faculty, all of whom are working on really interesting projects in their subfields. That makes it a particularly important place to be in conversation with.”
As Cho-Polizzi reflected on the event, he expressed his hope that the audience would come away with a greater appreciation for the richness of German culture and the relevance of learning about a different place.
“It’s critical to understand cultures in their fluidity,” he noted. “Germany today is such a vibrant place, with so many different confluences of history and so many stories to tell.”
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