Worlding Literature from the Semi-Periphery

Conference date: 12-13 September 2026

Host Organization: Warwick Venice Centre, Palazzo Giustinian Lolin, Venice

What does world literature look like when viewed from the semi-periphery? This two-day workshop explores how literature from semi-peripheral contexts contributes to and potentially reconfigures world literature. We understand the semi-periphery as a position between different literary systems and scales (local, regional, global), where literary forms, values and imaginaries take shape. Such positions are neither clearly marginal nor fully central. They may be marked by asymmetrical relations to dominant cultural centres, but also by lateral connections, regional networks, multilingual practices and alternative horizons of literary value. The phrase “from the semi-periphery” is intended to carry a double emphasis: it points both to literary works emerging from semi-peripheral positions and to the semi-periphery itself as a critical vantage point from which to examine world-literary dynamics. Alongside questions of circulation, reception and global visibility, we are particularly interested in how literature from the semi-periphery may illuminate different processes and practices of “worlding”, while inviting us to reconsider the scales, hierarchies and spatio-temporal imaginaries that structure prevailing conceptions of world literature.

The workshop invites contributions on literary mediation, aesthetics, translation, and value, as well as the role of institutions, languages, and readerships. All contributions should engage explicitly with the semi-periphery as a concept, context or analytical framework. We welcome theoretical reflections, comparative approaches, and case studies from a range of contexts.

Contributions that consider how the semi-periphery may generate perspectives and forms not primarily oriented toward dominant centres are especially encouraged. Early-stage research and experimental formats are welcome.

Format
Day 1: Text seminar (discussion of pre-circulated readings)
Day 2: Short presentations + discussion

Comment soumettre des propositions

Submission: Please submit an abstract (250–300 words) and a short bio (approx. 100 words)

Deadline: 21st August 2026

Notification of acceptance: 1 st September 2026