The 31st Cambridge Seminar on Contemporary Literature
In July the Literature Department hosted the 31st Cambridge Seminar of Contemporary Literature. Taking place at Downing College Cambridge, the week-long residential literature showcase featured readings, lectures, performances and discussions with the UK’s finest writers, including poets John Burnside, Benjamin Zephaniah and Jackie Kay, novelists David Lodge, Philip Hensher and Kamila Shamsie, and seminal playwrights, memoirists and cultural historians. It was attended by delegates from over 40 countries, drawn from the worlds of academia, publishing, translation and literature development.
For 2009 we decided to extend the virtual reach of the seminar with a dedicated blog, offering delegates a space to interact online before, during, and after the Seminar.
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'Excellent in all senses, it has been wonderful and the experience from the personal and professional side has been fantastic.'
'The diversity of participants was remarkable and brought such intensity to discussion.'
'In Cambridge, we were face to face with authors, could ask them questions, just talk to them at coffee breaks - and meet many authors and translators from the whole world, in an informal, warm atmosphere, which is not an everyday experience, rather a unique one. Thank you very much, the seminar was absolutely perfect, and, at evaluation, it is really hard to give someone or something less than the best comments.'
- Quotations from previous Cambridge participants
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BACKGROUND
The British Council's Cambridge Seminar on contemporary literature has influenced discussion, performance and debate on literature for over 30 years. The programme includes well-known - as well as innovatory and new - names, including novelists, poets, critics and other writers. Writers confirmed for 2009 so far include; John Burnside, David Edgar, Francesca Beard, Melvin Burgess, Jim Crace, Linda Grant, Tony Harrison, Philip Hensher, Jackie Kay, David Lodge, Blake Morrison, Kamila Shamise, Gillian Slovo, Marina Warner, Jeanette Winterson and Benjamin Zephaniah.
The seminar profiles the UK’s creative ideas and achievements and has been proven to increase the number of quality relationships between the UK and many other countries. It actively builds ties for the UK’s creative and knowledge economy. The event is fully residential. Over the years the seminar has brought together an impressive group of contemporary British writers and critics and offers delegates a lively mix of talks, discussions, performances, debates and an opportunity to talk with the writers about their work.
Participants, who come from many countries, have opportunities to meet and hear a wide range of writers from Britain, as well as take part in discussions about a range of literary trends and issues. In bringing together the insight and experiences of writers and participants in a strongly international context, the Cambridge Seminar offers an unrivalled literary experience. This is an opportunity to take part in one of the most intimate and influential literary events in the world in the relaxed surroundings of a Cambridge University College.
Many people who have attended the seminar in the past have described it as a defining moment in their careers, bringing them up-to-date with new trends in writing today and introducing them to an international network of like-minded people. The event is fully residential and is organised by the British Council Literature Department.
Who should attend the Cambridge Seminar?
The target group for the Seminar is anyone based outside the UK who is professionally engaged with literature, including: writers, translators, academics, literary editors and critics, teachers, librarians, broadcasters, literary venue administrators and festival programmers. Good spoken English is essential: participants will get most from the Seminar if they enjoy and contribute to the discussion and interchange it fosters. There are places for up to 45 participants. We will cover all costs relating to registration, accommodation and meals for applicants. We do not cover the costs of international and local travel. We have to obtain the agreement of British Council offices in each country before we can confirm delegates. As we expect a high number of applications and places are limited for the event, only successful candidates will be notified following the selection process. The applications will be considered and selections made by the British Council. Letters of invitation will only be issued to successful applicants, as soon as possible.
Please Note: There will be no Cambridge Seminar in 2011. Please check back to this website in January 2012 to see if there will be a Seminar in 2012.
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