The Paros Symposium was founded by poets Susan Gevirtz and Siarita Kouka in 2004, to foster translation and exchange between Greek and Anglophone poets/translators. Our focus is on translation practice, working together to bring Greek poetry into English and vice versa, but we also envision a forum in which a diverse group of artists with different aesthetics and linguistic repertoires can engage in conversation. Participants range from those who actively translate between Greek and English, to those with partial or no knowledge of Greek but an interest in Greek literature and culture, to those who translate from other languages and write on cross-cultural poetics. Most if not all of the Greek participants are fluent in English. Though we Americans are acutely aware of a linguistic imbalance, symptomatic of larger global inequities, we believe there is still much to learn from this dialogue, however imperfect our knowledge of the other language. 

More details and a schedule will follow, but for now here is a general idea of what our days will look like. We will work in small groups for about 4 hours, break for lunch/siesta, and reconvene in the evening for talks and readings, before adjourning to dinner and more discussion. Readings will include one or two group events, and on the last night, July 13th, we will possibly take the Symposium on the road to Napflio -- as we did in 2013 -- where we will have bilingual readings of the translations accomplished while at The House of Archaeology. (more info on this below)  All evening events are open to the public. We will ask that each participant e-mail several items in advance to the group. In our next communication we will send more information to those who confirm that they are coming.
 
Please note: because we have limited time and wish to focus on poets whose work has not yet received much attention in translation, we ask that poets who have already attended the Symposium at least two previous times participate in the translation sessions only as a translator of others, and not as a poet to be translated. This is so that poets new to the Symposium may also benefit from having their work translated. All participants in attendance, both new and returning, are invited and encouraged to read their work in the evening readings.
 
Location: This year the Symposium will take place at The House of Archaeology in Plaka,  Ermou 134-136 ,the ancient city within modern Athens. The House of Archaeology is a three story neoclassic house in a fantastic spot at the center of archaeological Athens. It has a huge garden and a roof garden.
 
 Last year we were invited to have our final evening of readings at The Harvard Center For Hellenic Studies in Napflio, about 2 1/2 hours south of Athens:
http://greece.chs.harvard.edu/
 
Costs: Lodging at The House of Archaeology will be no more than 10 euros per night. Depending on the number of participants rooms will be shared. Some Greek participants who live in Athens have offered room in their houses. You will need to provide your own transportation and food. There is a kitchen we will be able to use at The House.
 
This year Helen Dimos, Greek-American poet will be organizing on behalf of the Anglophone poets. She participated in 2013 and will organize and participate in 2014 as well as being the contact person pre-Athens for 2014.

Please let her know as soon as possible if you will attend the symposium, ideally by May 1st at the latest. And feel free to e-mail with any questions. (her contact above) & Please tell us if you know of anyone who might be interested in the Symposium
 
I deeply regret that we have no funds to help with any expenses this year.
I also regret that I won't be able to be in Athens this year ---but very much hope you can be there!

--Susan Gevirtz
--Siarita Kouka