A fortuitous discovery and an unusual journey
My name is Cecily Bernard. I am a 3rd year PhD student in Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I attended the 2022 IWL session at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany.
My journey to there could be considered by some as unusual. A student of varying South American languages and literatures and of Latin American and Caribbean (International) Relations, I had never heard of the IWL. Moreover, I had spent the years prior to my doctoral studies as a professional in the fields of Translation and Interpreting.
While thinking through my dissertation project, my desire to “bring me together” in the research led me to look up contemporary literary works on Latin America and the Caribbean that resulted in me stumbling on a review of Héctor Hoyos’s recently published book, Beyond Bolaño: The Global Latin American novel (2016).
I instantly connected to the thrust of the work, which I subsequently read, taking up the challenge thrown out at the end by the author to engage in what he deems a possible radical version of his project. I was thus inspired to delve further into the concept of World Literature, leading me to research available and to upcoming events in the field.
My discovery of IWL 2022 was therefore quite fortuitous. Through my subsequent acceptance and attendance, I was able to participate in Colloquia sessions with colleague scholars and researchers from around the world that allowed me to share my research project idea and receive invaluable feedback. I also had the opportunity to attend seminars mediated by leading authors and experts in the field, while connecting informally with all on the various well-organized and informative tours and social events.
IWL 2022 was for me a very rewarding and memorable experience, one that I would highly recommend to others working and/or interested in the areas of Comparative, Post-Colonial and/or World Literatures.
Cecily Bernard
2022 IWL alumna, Johannes Gutenberg University
3rd year, PhD student in Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures
the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
