Saturday 28 January 2012

Writers and Readers Week Programme Now Out


Everyone at the Temporary Literaturhaus was excited to see the full programme of Writers and Readers Week, released this week. There is plenty to look forward to from a translation perspective, including sessions with German writer Jenny Erpenbeck and a panel on “The Art of Translation”. More on that later – in the meantime, the Temporary Literaturhaus launches in just over a week... 

Monday 23 January 2012

Launch Week Programme for the Temporary Literaturhaus

This year New Zealand will be in the international literary spotlight as guest of honour at the world’s largest book fair in Frankfurt. From February onwards you can explore New Zealand’s literary connections with the rest of the world at Wellington’s Temporary Literaturhaus, a mobile literary festival. Join us at the launch week for readings, discussions, music and film.

Tues 7th February 2012:

Landscapes of Memory: Kate de Goldi and Lloyd Jones on writing and place
6pm City Gallery, Civic Square, Wellington

Weds 8th February 2012:

Anton Can do Magic, performed in German and English by Fiona McNamara and Ailsa Krefft
A fantastic quirky picture book by Ole Konnecke (published by award-winning Wellington publisher Gecko Press). Suitable for preschoolers (2-4 yrs) accompanied by an adult.
10.30-11.00am Wellington Central Library

Reading Stage 1
Short readings from current work by upcoming and established writers and translators from the Institute of Modern Letters, Massey University, the New Zealand Centre for Literary Translation and Whitireia.
12.00 – 12.55, Wellington Central Library

Grim/m Tales
Hinemoana Baker, Paul Diamond, Fiona Kidman, Elizabeth Knox, Marco Sonzogni and Apirana Taylor give their unique take on Grimm-inspired themes.
6.15pm, Wellington Central Library: Join the writers for pre-show coffee from 5.30pm in Clarks.

Thurs 9th February 2012:

Reading Stage 2 Short readings from current work by upcoming and established writers and translators from the Institute of Modern Letters, Massey University, the New Zealand Centre for Literary Translation and Whitireia.
12.00 – 12.55, Wellington Central Library

The Poetry Cabaret
Featuring musician Lorenzo Bühne and poets Bill Manhire and Chris Price with music, performances and readings of NZ poetry and German poetry in translation.
6pm Cafe Meow (9 Edward St), Wellington

Fri 10th February 2012:

Storytelling with Holly Gooch
Storyteller Holly Gooch performs on a fairy tale-inspired theme. Suitable for preschoolers (2 – 4 yrs) accompanied by an adult.
10.30am (until 11.30am), Wellington Central Library

Stories in Silhouette
Fairy tales brought to life by Lotte Reiniger, a pioneer of silhouette animation.
7.00pm, NZ Film Archive, Taranaki St, Wellington

Sat 11th February 2012:

Storytelling with Apirana Taylor.
Apirana Taylor tells stories, strums his guitar and adds atmosphere with his traditional Maori instruments.
Suitable for primary-age children (5 – 9 yrs).
2.00-3.00pm, Wellington Central Library

Free entry to kids’ events and lunchtime sessions. Evening events by Koha. For more information contact literaturhausnz@gmail.com

With the support of Creative New Zealand 


Also supported by the Goethe-Institut, NZ Book Council, New Zealand Centre for Literary Translation, and Wellington City Council



Welcome to the Temporary Literaturhaus

In October 2012 New Zealand will be the Guest of Honour at the world’s biggest literary event, the Frankfurt Book Fair. To celebrate this, translator Sally-Ann Spencer has brought together a group of literary organisations to bring a taste of Europe to Wellington by creating New Zealand’s first, albeit temporary, Literaturhaus.

The Literaturhaus concept was first developed in Berlin in the late 1980s and has since been adopted in numerous cities in Germany and beyond. Literaturhäuser are at the heart of literary life in Germany, providing a venue for innovative literary events and education and a meeting place for all those interested in books. Their central mission is to communicate and promote interest in literature in all its forms among diverse readerships. The concept has since been introduced in Scandinavia with great success.

The Temporary Literaturhaus in Wellington will provide a mobile platform for literary events that bring together different communities of readers and writers. The launch events are organized in collaboration with the New Zealand Book Council, the New Zealand Centre for Literary Translation and Wellington City Libraries, the Temporary Literaturhaus will reappear on a monthly basis at different venues in Wellington and connect with other literary institutions and initiatives in the city (supported by a grant from CNZ).

In the tradition of the German Literaturhäuser, the Temporary Literaturhaus will focus on innovative programming, moving away from conventional readings to focus on “live” literature and providing a welcoming and stimulating atmosphere for people to engage in the wider conversation about literature, translation and books.

Sponsored by: Creative New Zealand
Supported by:  Goethe Institut, New Zealand Centre for Literary Translation, Meow Bar & Cafe, Wellington City Libraries, New Zealand Book Council

For more information, email literaturhausnz@gmail.com. The launch week runs from 7 - 11 February.