PRESS RELEASE FROM THE IWC ON THE ITALY TRIP

Fourth year of Italo Irish Literature Exchange is celebrated by three publications

Next week (4–10 June) marks the fourth year of the Italo Irish Literature Exchange (IILE). Organised by the Irish Writers’ Centre and its Italian counterpart, ònoma, the IILE enables Irish and Italian writers to take part in readings, workshops, discussions, educational visits and other cultural events in both countries. This fourth year is significant in that it is the first time that publications will emerge as a result of the exchange:
30 May, marks the launch of Inkroci, a new online magazine that showcases works by the participating Irish authors
Ugo Guanda Editore will publish an Italian version of the works of Irish and Italian participants in book form (2015)
New Island Books will publish an English language version of the works of Irish and Italian participants in book form (2015)

The make-up of both the Irish and Italian groups is designed to showcase a mix of emergent and established writers in a range of genres, including novels, short stories, poetry, drama, screenplay, non-fiction and political satire. Among the themes to be discussed with Italian IILE writers and audiences will be the importance of place and identity; migration; the role of writers and writing in responding to the political and economic crises facing Italy and Ireland; the challenges and opportunities facing publishers and writers in both countries in the digital age; and the establishment of further cultural links between Ireland and Italy.

This year’s group includes: - Mia Gallagher - Fabio Bussotti - Sean Hardie - Gaja Cenciarelli - Afric McGlinchey - Francesca Melandri - Liz McManus - Giulio Mozzi - Noel Monahan - Ivano Porpora - Nuala Ní Chonchúir - Federica Sgaggio - William Wall - Gianpaolo Trevisi - Fabio Viola
There have been three visits to date under the IILE banner, two by Italian authors to Dublin (in 2011 and 2012) and one return visit by Irish authors to Verona (in 2012) with the support of Culture Ireland and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura – Dublino. The 2014 trip to Italy represents the return journey of the second incarnation of the IILE, a venture which was spearheaded by writer and former board member of the Irish Writers’ Centre, Catherine Dunne.

The itinerary begins in Rome with a welcome reception and readings in the Irish Embassy, then moves onto the town of Sant’Agata de’ Goti (Campagnia) to meet and exchange with the ònoma writers under the IILE banner. Then, the Irish writers will move onto Lugo and Bologna for events and cultural interchange with translators and other members of the literary society. We are truly delighted to take part in this year’s Italo Irish Literature Exchange (IILE) and are grateful to all of our funders, particularly Culture Ireland, for this opportunity.