Italian embassy to host meet on cultural identity and cross-cultural encounters
The Italian embassy in Thailand is hosting a discussion and book presentation titled "Stories from the East, Stories from the West" in November, said Lorenzo Galanti, Italy's ambassador to Thailand.
The event will take place on Saturday, November 9, from 4 to 6 pm at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC, 939 Rama I Rd, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan District, BTS National Stadium). It is open to the general public.
Among the topics up for debate are:
How do cultures continue to differentiate themselves notwithstanding globalisation?
What does a Western author look for, today, when setting her/his literary work in Thailand? Why does a ‘Westerner’ choose to live in the East and vice-versa? What is today’s perception of the West from the East? Is there a cultural model than is "happier" than others?
The discussion will be stimulated by the readings of excerpts from Stories from the East, Stories from the West - an anthology of micro-stories gathered and published for this occasion - in which Italian and Thai authors address the theme of cultural identity and cross-cultural encounters.
Thai philosopher, poet and writer Naowarat Pongpaiboon will participate as a special guest.
Panelists at the event are Igino Domanin (essayist), Asst Prof Paolo Euron (Chulalongkorn University), Lawrence Osborne (writer), Fabio Novel (writer) and Asst Prof Verita Sriratana (Chulalongkorn University) with Francesca Andreini (writer) as moderator.
