On 2 October 2026 Friday, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) will jointly organise World Translation Day 2026, a day devoted to the practice of literary translation. This year’s edition, “Translation, Literature, and the Machine” brings together literary translators, writers, scholars, students, and readers to reflect on and valorise the role of literary translation in the World.
Situated in Brussels, a city whose multilingual character is integral to its identity, World Translation Day approaches translation not only as an exchange between languages and nations, but also as a practice of creating literary relations across cultures and traditions. Translation carries literature across borders, but more than that, it imagines, negotiates and creates worlds through language.
Through a keynote lecture, conversations and hands-on literary translation workshops, the event explores translation as both a creative practice and condition for the circulation of literature. This year’s programme will feature a keynote lecture by Jan Wilm and literary translation workshops led by Rokus Hofstede, Kristen Gehrman, and Isabelle Rosselin.
World Translation Day aims to establish an annual meeting place in Brussels for literary translation in all its diversity, creating a space for exchange between those who translate, write, study, and read literature.
For the full programme, practical information and further updates, please visit the website.
Participation in World Translation Day 2026 is open to all students and scholars. Registration is required and can be completed via the registration form.
The event is organised by Prof. Dr. Eva Ulrike Pirker (VUB) and Prof. Dr. Graham Riach (ULB), with the support of Prof. Dr. Diana Castilleja (VUB), Prof. Dr. Arvi Sepp (VUB) and the assistance of Ceydanur Temurok (VUB).
For questions and further information, please contact Ceydanur Temurok at Ceydanur.Temurok@vub.be.
