The 2015 edition of the International Festival of Literature and Translation that was due in autumn in Iasi (eastern Romania) was suspended, with organizers saying the decision was taken as a sign of protest against political immixture in culture. The third edition of the festival was due during September 30-October 4.
The organizers denounced ‘ the repeated attempts of politically confiscating the event, the permanent denigration of the organizing team, as well as the atmosphere tensed by local political rows.”
“We are a mature, responsible team that initiated an internationally renowned concept and professionally manage the previous two editions and it’s precisely these two aspect that make us sanction these practices (…) We convey our deepest regret to those over 100 guests who have already confirmed their attendance, to our institutional partners (embassies, cultural institutes, publishing houses, literary agents, international festivals) and to the festival’s audience,” reads the press release issued by the festival’s press department.
The organizers say that important names of world literature were supposed to attend this year’s edition, such as György Konrád, Frédéric Beigbeder, Jean Rouaud, Evgheni Vodolazkin, Mihail ?i?kin.
Discussions have been also cut off with Nobel awarded writer Dario Fo.
FILIT’s previous two editions attracted over 60,000 participants, mostly youngsters.