Art and Craft in Translation: Italian literature in dialogue in New York

Art and Craft in Translation: Italian literature in New York

April 13–15, 2026 New York becomes a meeting point for translators, writers, editors and readers: Art and Craft in Translation emphasizes translation as a cultural practice and a bridge between Italy and the United States.

Curated by Maria Ida Gaeta, the event marks the tenth anniversary of the The Bridge Book Award, which to date has promoted over 200 titles and supported the translation of about 40 works between Italian and English. The program is produced in collaboration with institutions such as the Italian Cultural Institute, Hunter College, Casa Italiana Zerilli‑Marimò, the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute and Rizzoli Bookstore on Broadway.

Program highlights

• Opening session with the latest Bridge Book Award winners: novelists Nicoletta Verna and Julia Phillips in conversation with critics Giulio Ferroni and Aaron Robertson.
• Academic panels featuring students and faculty from New York universities to examine translation practices and pedagogy.
• Poetic and narrative translation workshops led by Cameron Gallo, Patrizio Ceccagnoli, Ann Goldstein, Brian Robert Moore and Edwin Frank.
• Presentations of new translations of authors including Cesare Pavese, Alba De Céspedes and Daniele del Giudice.
• Curatorial conversations with Chiara Barzini and writers Lili Anolik, Katie Kitamura and Emanuela Anechoum.
• Roundtables hosted by the John D. Calandra Institute, bringing together 16 editors and publishing professionals from major U.S. houses.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to bring contemporary Italian writing to U.S. audiences: Voices from Contemporary Italian Literature (Multipli Forti), conceived by Gaeta, which since 2022 has showcased more than 60 Italian authors to the New York publishing scene.

Who should attend

Art and Craft in Translation is aimed at translators, editors, curators, academics, students and readers interested in translation processes and literary exchange. The sessions provide practical opportunities to discuss editorial strategies, translation challenges and cross‑Atlantic collaborations.

Venues: Italian Cultural Institute; Hunter College; Casa Italiana Zerilli‑Marimò; John D. Calandra Italian American Institute; Rizzoli Bookstore (Broadway).