Fabula literary evening – Ljubljana: Yoko Tawada

Fabula literary event is dedicated to the accomplished Japanese-German writer Yoko Tawada, one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary world literature. In discussing her work, the author will address some of the main issues facing our world – the issues of language loss, migration, foreignness and the search for a sense of belonging.

The evening is dedicated to Tawada's novel Scattered All Over the Earth, (Chikyu ni chiribamerarete, 2018) translated into Slovenian by Domen Kavčič. The story follows a Japanese woman, Hiruko, who loses her homeland and mother tongue after a socio-ecological catastrophe and is trapped in Europe. With a diverse group of intrepid companions, outsiders and travellers, Tawada explores how language as an identity bearer can lose its meaning, but also offer an opportunity for new beginnings and creativity. The mind-expanding novel raises relevant social issues such as migration, natural cataclysms, sexual identity and cultural essentialisms, and invites reflection on the accepted notions of national identity. In using non-linear narrative, rich symbolism and interlacing reality and fiction, Tawada’s work ventures beyond a mere literary discussion, opening up new avenues for a broader understanding of contemporary challenges.

The event will be hosted by Blaž Šef, excerpts from Scattered All Over the Earth will be interpreted by actor Mario Dragojević.

The talk will be held in English, with simultaneous translation into Slovenian.

Yoko Tawada's work, especially after the 2011 tsunami earthquake and nuclear disaster in Japan, explores the loss of homeland, language and security, painting dystopian landscapes to echo the uncertainties of today's world.

The event is supported by Goethe-Institut Ljubljana.