BRICS literary masters to meet in Kazan to exchange experience

The BRICS Literary Forum will be held in Kazan on Wednesday, 11 September. Famous writers, poets and translators from Brazil, India, China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran will come to the capital of Tatarstan and exchange experience in their activities.

At the meeting they will discuss the role of literature in strengthening interstate cultural ties and popularising the literary traditions of the unification countries in the international arena.

Among the forum participants are Liu Wenfei, a prominent populariser of Russian literature in China, and Chinese poet, calligrapher and critic Ouyang Jianghe. The meeting will also be attended by representatives of India, including Slavist and translator Sonu Saini, Telugu poet, short story writer and translator Kruthiventi Srinivasarao and author of 33 books of poetry and prose Madhav Kaushik.

In addition, UAE-based poet and writer Sheikha Al Mutairi and Omani writer Hula Al Mujaini, who specialises in children's literature, have also been announced as participants in the forum. Also expected at the event are Brazilian poet, novelist and playwright Astier Basilio.

"I expect this forum to be a productive conversation and exchange of experience with writers, poets and playwrights who could start a new format of dialogue with Tatarstan," Saini told TV BRICS.

He expects that the event will discuss issues of literature distribution. In addition, the philologist noted the positive impact of such meetings on cultural co-operation among BRICS countries.

"Various events – conferences, seminars, forums – give an opportunity to meet and establish contact with people. These meetings help to find out how writing is done in Russia, how writing is done in India, what issues writers are concerned about. They can also develop some common themes," he added.

Saini expressed hope that in the future such forums will lead to the creation of a joint project, such as the Union of Writers or the BRICS Union of Translators.

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