Translating Trauma

A conversation on the emotional toll of translating trauma—and what it means to carry stories of violence across languages.

Translating Trauma

This is a free event, but registration is required.

Literary translators are the closest readers of a text. Yet, when a text bears witness to abuse, to war, to horror, what does that demand of the translator?

In this discussion, hear from three acclaimed translators: Marguerite Feitlowitz (Information for Foreigners: Three Plays by Griselda Gambaro), Natasha Lehrer (A Hymn to Life by Gisèle Pelicot), and Sandra Smith (But You Did Not Come Back by Marceline Loridan-Ivens), as they discuss the emotional toll of translating works that confront trauma and historical violence. Moderated by translator and author Michael Eskin (The Emprise of Poetry: Durs Grünbein, America, Antisemitism and the Pursuit of Liberty), this conversation will explore both the personal costs to the translator and the necessity of bringing these works across languages.

The 2026 PEN World Voices Festival is a celebration of world literature and free expression. The 2026 edition will be the 21st World Voices Festival. Over four days, over 140 writers from over 40 countries will be featured in 40 +engaging talks, panels, readings, and activations in New York City and greater Los Angeles.

Visit https://pen.org/world-voices-festival/ for more information about the entire festival, as well as PEN America.

ACCESSIBILITY:

This space is ADA compliant. An elevator is onsite that goes to the event space.

ASL interpretation is available for this event by request only. Please reach out to our Box Office team at publicprograms@pen.org by April 15th to request.