Wednesday, September 18, 2024 - 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
Dive into the rich tapestry of global literature with Mechanics' Institute's Contemporary Translated Works Book Group, presented in partnership with the Center for the Art of Translation. Our literary journey continues this fall with Migratory Birds by Mariana Oliver (Mexico), a prize-winning essay that asks us what it means to leave the familiar behind and make the unfamiliar our own. Join us in this literary adventure, discovering the stories that connect us across cultures and languages through translation.
How to Participate
Get a copy of Migratory Birds (we suggest purchasing the book directly from Transit Books via their website) and read it in advance of the meeting. On September 18, we will meet at noon to discuss this book with a group of people interested in reading contemporary translated works. This is a hybrid book group that meets both online (via Zoom) and in-person in the 4th Floor Board Room at Mechanics' Institute. For those of you who are joining us in-person or residing in Pacific Time, we welcome you to bring your lunch to this noontime event. For those you joining us from other time zones, thank you for making this book group an (inter)national gathering!
From 12:00-12:45 pm (PT), join us for an introductory discussion with Julia Sanches, who translated Migratory Birds from Spanish into English. This portion of the discussion is hosted by Nico Chen (of Mechanics' Institute) and Leslie-Ann Woofter (of Center for the Art of Translation), and begins with inquiries about how language, culture, and the art of translation are highlighted in this work. Please note that this first half of the event will be recorded and uploaded to our YouTube channel.
After bidding a thank you and goodbye to our translator, the latter part of our discussion (from 12:45 to 1:30 pm PT) will begin with a sharing of our favorite "golden lines" from Migratory Birds. While this is optional, we'd love to hear from you! We will then transition into an informal discussion that integrates questions around themes, narrators/characters, and more. Together, we will delve deeper into Migratory Birds in this informal hybrid setting.
About this Book Group
Launched in March 2024, the Contemporary Translated Works Book Group explores languages, cultures, and the art of translation through contemporary literature. Migratory Birds, our Fall 2024 selection, celebrates Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15). Click here to watch our introductory discussion with translator Jeremy Tiang for Beijing Sprawl, our Spring/Summer 2024 selection. We will announce our Winter 2025 selection during our discussion on September 18.
Cancellation Policy
We reserve the right to cancel at any time and issue a full refund. If you are unable to attend this event, please email [email protected] or call 415-393-0103 by Monday, September 16, 2024, to receive a full refund less any non-refundable ticketing fees which may be applicable. All fees must be paid at the time of registration. After Monday, September 16, 2024, no refunds will be issued.
Book Groups
