Upcoming Events

The Divan Sessions: The West-Eastern Divan

Wednesday 14 August at Edinburgh International Book Festival

 Goethe’s West-Eastern Divan, the poet’s personal attempt to broaden European horizons by exploring the concept of the Other and creating a poetic dialogue between East and West, marks its 200th anniversary this year. Persian academic Narguess Farzad, poet Robin Robertson and Goethe expert Jan Wagner are joined by Gingko’s Barbara Schwepcke to discuss this classic text and a specially commissioned series of new poems, translations and essays.

 

The Divan Sessions: The New Divan

Thursday 15 August at Edinburgh International Book Festival

The West-Eastern Divan was Goethe’s last major body of poetry, a tribute to Persian verse. To celebrate its bicentenary, A New Divan brings together 24 poets from West and East in a dialogue exploring otherness. This major international event brings together a brilliant array of acclaimed poets from East and West, including Don Paterson, Kathleen Jamie, Robin Robertson, Jamie McKendrick, Antonella Anedda, Chloe Aridjis, Sean O’Brien, Narguess Farzad, Jo Shapcott and Gilles Ortlieb to perform specially commissioned pieces.