Writing Europe : What Is European About the Literatures of Europe? : Essays from 33 European Countries

What do we mean by Europe? Thirty-three renowned authors from 33 European countries attempt an answer-in serious, ironic, skeptical, or optimistic tones. Their essays, written for the symposium held at the Literaturhaus Hamburg in 2003, reflect the astonishing diversity of European cultures. Not only are the style and experience of the individual authors remarkable for their distinctiveness, but their perspectives and views also appear to have little in common-at first glance.

The editors have created a unique literary project, a milestone in the vitally necessary cultural discourse about Europe.

Ursula Keller is publicist, film-maker, dramaturg. She is programme director at the Literaturhaus Hamburg.

Ilma Rakusa is writer and publicist, holds a PhD in literature and is the translator of numerous works from the Russian, French, Hungarian, and the Serbo-Croat.