Dunedin City of Literature connects with projects in Jakarta and Leeuwarden

‘My Salamander’, a short story by Emma Neale has been included in the Leeuwarden UNESCO City of Literature anthology, Uitgesteld Geluk (Afûk_,_ July 2023), a unique collection of stories and translations about beauty, happiness and what paradise might, should, could be, or not.

My salamander from The Pink Jumpsuit: Short fictions, tall truths (Quentin Wilson Publishing, 2021) was one of 100 stories included in the Happiness Delayed project in 2022 and one of 32 subsequently chosen for the anthology.

Henk Pröpper (former director of the Dutch Foundation for Literature, former director of De Bezige Bij – one of the main Dutch publishing houses – and former director of the Institut Neérlandais in Paris) chose the most notable stories to be included in the publication. Two editions were published, one Frisian language edition and one Dutch language edition. The Dutch and Frisian translations of Emma’s story were made by Jos den Bekker and Elske Schotanus respectively.

Aotearoa’s UNESCO City of Literature, Dunedin City of Literature says the inclusion of Emma’s story in the international anthology not only showcases the city and Aotearoa’s rich literary talent but also enhances a platform for diverse perspectives from around the world.

Late last year, Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature curated a showcase of recent books by Dunedin writers for Jakarta Content Week (JakTent).

The project was set up through Dunedin City of Literature and Jakarta City of Literature and was an opportunity for the two UNESCO Cities of Literature to tangibly connect. The selection of books from Dunedin was a way to shine a light on Dunedin’s incredible writers and establish meaningful connections between writers, publishers, and readers in both cities.

Dunedin City of Literature purchased a selection of recently published titles to send for display, allowing Jakarta's publishers, literary agents, booksellers, writers, and readers to explore their richness and diversity and encourage potential future partnerships, translations, co-editions and rights sales. After JakTent (held from 8 to 12 November 2023), the books were donated to public libraries in Jakarta, ensuring that the Dunedin literary contribution remains accessible to a wider audience.

Dunedin City of Literature was grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with JakTent 2023 and for their generosity in showcasing our titles on the literary stage in Jakarta, putting the books in front of tens of thousands of attendees and celebrating the literary bond between two cities.