Literature and Translation

June 2025
Celebrating 150 years of Thomas Mann

We celebrate one of Germany's most important authors. Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1929, Thomas Mann became a vocal critic of the Nazi ideology and emigrated in 1933, first to Switzerland, then to the USA. Goethe-Institut Glasgow is honoring Thomas Mann’s anniversary with an event series in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut in London. Discover new facets of this pivotal figure of literature - online, in our library, and at our events!

Literature
Goethe-Institut London and English PEN Residency

Since 2022, the Goethe-Institut London and English PEN have been partnering on a residency programme for international writers. We have supported respite residencies through English PEN’s Writers at Risk Programme, providing authors with the time, space, and funds to relax and work on their own projects. We have also supported broader writing residencies, hosted as part of English PEN’s Literature Programmes.

Book Blog
Literary Tastings

What are people reading in Germany and Great Britain these days? We bring together the writers people are talking about.

Independent Expert Recommendations
New Books in German

Discover the latest books out in the Austrian, German and Swiss markets! New Books in German presents reviews of the best current novels as well as articles about the German-language literary scene.

Translations of German Books into Other Languages
Translation Grant Programme

We support non-German publishers in publishing and translating German-language literature to make current works of contemporary literature, books for children and young people, comics and graphic novels as well as academic titles and non-fiction works accessible to a larger audience.

New Translation
Translation Award

Find out everything about the Goethe-Institut Award for New Translation: prizes, submission deadlines and conditions of participation.

Translation
Artificially Correct

With Artificially correct, we are developing a tool with experts that minimises the bias in translations. We want to strengthen the position of translators and a conscious approach to translation machines and include the reality of as many people as possible in them.    

Reflections about the future of translation
A.I. and Literary Translation

Is Artificial Intelligence advanced enough to grasp and process literary texts in all their linguistic richness, and translate them into another language? Will it ever be advanced enough? Or will it remain "artificial" instead of "artistic"? Perhaps it doesn't have to be perfect to be useful and can work as a tool to support literary translators in their work – Let's ask some experts! 

Translation Events in Glasgow

Explore upcoming Translation events at Goethe-Institut Glasgow. 

The library at the Goethe-Institut London

The library at the Goethe-Institut Glasgow

German-language literature
Who is heard and who is silenced?

An interview with our language columnist Sharon Dodua Otoo: she tells us about her new book, “Adas Raum” (Ada’s Room) and shares her reflections on representation and visibility in literature. 

German Book Recommendations
The German Riveter

Interested in German literature? The “German Riveter” magazine contains a great many recommendations by the European Literature Network! All books mentioned can be found in our library in London or in our digital library – free of charge!

Black German Literature
Home, Identity and Racism

Black German literature has a long history and embraces a broad spectrum – it ranges from poetry and autobiographies to academic and activist writings. Yet even today, Black German authors are still less visible, especially when it comes to fiction, writes Philipp Khabo Koepsell.

Onleihe: The digital library

Our digital library Onleihe offers access to more than 20,000 German-language media such as e-books, audio books and music, newspapers, magazines and films, free of charge.