Oxford Bookstore and EUNIC – EU National Institutes for Culture present Literary Forum: The Global Writer – Navigating Local Identity and Universal Themes as part of the Long Night of LiteratureS 2025

Oxford Bookstore, in association with EUNIC – EU National Institutes for Culture, hosted a compelling literary forum at the Embassy of the Czech Republic. The exclusive session, titled ‘The Global Writer: Navigating Local Identity and Universal Themes’, brought together esteemed authors, translators and publishers from Europe and India to explore the rich tapestry of literary connections between the two regions.

This cross-continental panel united acclaimed voices from India and Europe to discuss how place, language, and culture shape their creative expression while addressing themes that resonate globally. The distinguished panel for the 2025 edition included Piotr Florczyk, poet, translator and critic from Poland; Clara Nubile, author from Italy; Jackie Thomae, author from Germany; Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan, author, poet, translator and voice-over artist from India; Amitabha Bagchi, author from India; and Dipankar Mukherjee, publisher and moderator from India.

Together, the panellists highlighted on what it means to be a “global writer” today—rooted in identity yet reaching beyond borders. The discussion also delved into the evolving role of translation in connecting audiences, the shifting habits of readers in a digital era, and the growing influence of AI on storytelling and authorship.

The Long Night of LiteratureS 2025 welcomed authors from 14 European countries, bringing a rich blend of voices and visions. The line-up included from Markus Köhle from Austria; Todor Todorov from Bulgaria / EU Delegation; Fine Gråbøl from Denmark; Monia Aljalis from France; Jackie Thomae from Germany; Ferenc Barnás from Hungary; Clara Nubile from Italy; Piotr Florczyk from Poland; Isabela Figueiredo from Portugal; Andrej Blatnik from Slovenia; Marcos Giralt Torrente from Spain; Anaïs Clerc from Switzerland; Yury Zavadsky from Ukraine; and Gail McConnell from United Kingdom.

As a co-host of the literary forum at The Long Night of LiteratureS, Oxford Bookstore continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to celebrating books, literature, and culture. With a century-long legacy, Oxford Bookstore remains a haven for literary enthusiasts, providing a vibrant space where the written word takes centre stage.