Translation Spotlight: An Evening of Italian Literature

Italian literature is so deeply beloved. But beyond the familiar, what are the essential, lesser-known works in translation that continue to shape how we understand Italy, its histories, and its literary voice?

Join us for an Italian Spotlight evening at our long table — an intimate, salon-style gathering full of reading and great conversation. The evening will feature a curated reading list by professor Michela Valmori, who will guide us through a selection of works in translation alongside Italian food and drink. The reading list will feature New York Review Books, the cult-favourite series celebrated for its eclectic catalogue and beautifully designed covers.

Emerging from an Italy shaped by war, social change, and cultural tension, these texts explore individuals whose lives are shaped — and often fractured — by history. Moving through landscapes of memory, family, and marginality, each work reveals a tension between belonging and estrangement. Together, they document a shift from collective history toward increasingly personal and fragmented forms of selfhood, where being “out of place” becomes a defining condition of modern Italian literary identity.

The evening will be accompanied by a special exhibition: Memories, Maps, Reflections: The Textile Cartography of Bettina Matzkuhn. Presented at Il Museo Gallery at the Italian Cultural Centre (April 11–May 24, 2026), Bettina Matzkuhn’s work explores place, movement, and memory through intricate textile maps. You can learn more about her work here.

This event is in partnership with Il Museo, the Italian Cultural Centre Museum.

The registration fee for this event is $20. All proceeds of the event go to Upstart & Crow’s non-profit programming, including writer residencies, book clubs, grants and more. Please RSVP here to reserve your spot.

More about the facilitator:

Michela Valmori is a researcher and professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC), appointed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote Italian culture worldwide. She holds a PhD in Comparative Literature and has published several works, including Rosa: The Untold Story of an Italian American Immigrant and Her Hidden Secrets, And There Were Red Geraniums Everywhere, and Oceani allo Specchio. Her research and teaching bridge Gender Studies and cultural diplomacy, exploring Italian literature, migration, and transnational identities while fostering international dialogue.

More about Upstart & Crow:

Upstart & Crow is a not-for-profit creative studio and literary incubator that champions writers, readers and stories, and the role they play in shaping our lives. We develop original programs, support artists and revel in creative projects focused on Literature In Translation / Climate Solutions / Poetry / Civic Dialogue / Community & Skills Building … all with the aim of elevating the role of literature and storytelling in our lives. Find us on Granville Island, Gibsons and online at upstartandcrow.com.

Accessibility:

The main studio of our shop is accessible for folks with mobility aids. There is a washroom on the main floor available for attendees.

Questions: hello[at]upstartandcrow.com.

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