French Voices, African Rhythms: GauZ' with translations by Frank Wynne

This literary strand of Cork Midsummer Festival will explore, through cross artform collaboration, performance and conversation, the artistic frequencies, echoes and fever dreams over which we broadcast self and other culture, community, presence and absence.

GauZ’ is an Ivorian author, journalist, and screenwriter, and editor-in-chief of a satirical economic newspaper. After studying biochemistry, he moved to Paris as an undocumented student, later returning to Côte d’Ivoire. His debut novel, Standing Heavy (2014), won the Prix des libraires Gibert Joseph and was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2023. He is also the author of Comrade Papa, winner of the 2019 Prix Éthiophile, and Black Manoo. In addition to his fiction, GauZ’ has written screenplays and documentary films. He lives and works between Côte d’Ivoire and France.

Frank Wynne is a literary translator whose career spans over two decades, working with authors such as Michel Houellebecq, Patrick Modiano, Emiliano Monge, Alice Zeniter, and Virginie Despentes. His translation of Vernon Subutex One was shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize in 2018, and his version of GauZ’s Standing Heavy was shortlisted in 2023. Wynne’s translations have earned numerous accolades, including the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award (2002), the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize (2005), the Scott Moncrieff Prize, and the Premio Valle Inclán. He chaired the International Booker Prize judging panel in 2022.

A Q&A with GauZ' and Frank Wynne | The Booker Prize