135815 KO KO: (More) Poets of Panglobal Pluridentities: African-Diasporic Literary Voices in Austria (Part II) (2026S)

Summary:
Were it a quiz, how many of the following names would ring a bell? Who are Ada Diagne (Senegal-Austria, Baobab. Die Legende vom Baum der Erinnerungen, 2025), Laurene Sindano (Child of Congo: Where it all Began, 2025) Mihret Kebede (#evolutionary poems, translated from Amharic with anna moschovakis, 2025), Iroh Njideka (Nigeria, United Kingdom, Austria, Destination Now Always, 2026), Ishraga Mustafa Hamid (Sudan-Austria, Die Donau Kennt mich/Das Andere Gesicht der Donau, Women of River, 2026), Tarek Eltayeb (Egypt-Austria, Städte ohne Dattelpalmen. 2020)?
Until recently, little attention was paid to these influential, yet understudied, authors; hence our interest in examining the cross-genre production (novels, plays, testimonies, autobiographies, poems, slams) of these poets of panglobal pluridentities, who encompass multiple networks in Austria. In this conversation, we will explore some of their works to ask: 1. How do they define themselves: ‘Afro-European’ (Brancato, 2008), “Afropean’ (Pitts, 2019), ‘Austrian’ (Mujila & Tchokothe 2022)? 2. Which topics cut across their works, and what genres are dominant in their creative works? 3. How did/do they choose their primary language of writing/performing: English, German, Arabic, Amharic, Igbo, French, etc.? 4. What roles do institutions and initiatives such Weltwortreisende: Transnationale Grazer Literaturtage, the annual African Literatures’ Days in Graz, the Grazer Poesieautomaten (Graz), The Vienna African Writers Club, the PEN platform Literatur*Grenzenlos (Vienna), literary periodicals like Lichtungen, literary competitions, literary prizes and scholarships such as the Grazer Stadtschreiber*in scholarship, the Elias-Canetti scholarship, and the Exilliteraturpreis (can) play in their reception and visibility? 5. What are their strategies to plant African-Diasporic memories in Austria?
This conversation is part of a new research project led by the course instructor.

Goals

1. To continue designing a map of the who is who of the African-Diasporic literary scene in Austria
2. To do comparative case studies of the literary œuvre of selected writers
3. To draw the attention of my co-teachers to the relevance of ‘othered’ voices in the Austrian literary scene
4. To develop a consciousness of the ties between literature and migration, integration, intercultural communication, and memory work
5. To foster a reflection on literature festivals, literary institutions, and academic discourse

Content

Reading and in-depth analysis of selected literary works, articles, book chapters, video material, and pieces presented at poetry slam contests in English, French, and translated from Arabic and Amharic; meet the author sessions, and participation in the annual African Literatures’ Days in Graz in April 2026 (April 17-18).

Methods
1. ACTIVE reading of texts, research, and ACTIVE participation in class
2. Group work throughout the semester
3. Group research and oral presentations/reports on selected topics
4. Participation in the annual African Literatures’ Days in Graz (April 17-18, 2026)