Led by Kasia Szymanska, this participatory conversation will ask: how can we use our languages to make the change we want? Should all activists want to translate? Should all translators want to be activist? And are we talking about different things when we talk about translation as activism and translation as art?

This workshop is aimed at individuals interested in translation, just starting out, or early into their practice. Participants are encouraged to bring something they would like to ask or share, such as a story about their experience with languages that they think is relevant to the theme.

This event is presented in partnership with English PEN, Comma Press and Manchester Translation Series, and is part of English PEN’s programme for International Translation Day 2025.

Kasia Szymanska is an assistant professor in the Centre for Translation and Intercultural Studies at the University of Manchester, and the author of Translation Multiples: From Global Culture to Postcommunist  Democracy. Her research lies in the intersection between literary translation, multilingual writing and politics.