The November meeting of the Central European Book Club

5 November, 6 pm

The November meeting of the Central European Book Club is about Pajtim Statovci's ‘Transition’ and reflections on how historical events intersect with a story about the construction of gender identity.

In the totalitarian system of communist Albania, it is all about unification, equality and subordination of all. When a transgender person suddenly appears in this world, nothing good can happen to them.

Statovci tells the story of two young boys, their journeys and escapes, their transitions between communism and capitalism, between Albania, Italy and Finland, and makes them wander around the world. How does Central European literature deal with LGBTQiA themes, does it blindly follow patterns outlined in the West? How does the homophobia experienced under communism differ from that under capitalism - and does it even matter today?

We will discuss these issues on 5 November at 6 pm at the ICC.