Opening of the Literature of the World Festival – Fabula:
Colum McCann

The Ljubljana opening of the Literature of the World Festival – Fabula will feature Colum McCann, one of the most prominent contemporary Irish writers, known for his lyrical and deeply compassionate style. Born in Dublin and now based in New York, McCann weaves fact and fiction, reinterpreting real-life stories and historical events with imaginative storytelling.

The evening will focus on his acclaimed novel Apeirogon (2020), longlisted for the Booker Prize. Inspired by the real-life story of two fathers, Israeli Rami Elhanan and Palestinian Basam Aramin, the book follows their journey from devastating personal loss toward dialogue, friendship, and public testimony for peace. Composed of 1001 short fragments, the novel explores multiple perspectives on pain, loss, and humanity, with Apeirogon – a geometric figure with infinite sides – serving as the central metaphor.

The event will feature readings of selected passages and a conversation on the interplay between testimony and fiction, ethical storytelling, and literature’s power to create spaces for human encounter in a divided world.

The event will be held in English with simultaneous translation into Slovenian, with readings of selected excerpts by Muhamed Kulauzović.