Translating Stories Across South African Languages

An Evening in Conversation with George Lory

21 May 2026 | 18:00

The Alliance Française Potchefstroom, in collaboration with the NWU Subject Group French, warmly invites you to a special literary evening with George Lory — translator, author, and specialist in South African literature and literary translation.

Inspired by his latest book, Les strelitzias: Balades en littérature sud-africaine, this convivial round-table discussion will explore the world of literary translation and South African storytelling. Over the years, George Lory has translated many leading South African writers and poets into French, including Breyten Breytenbach, Antjie Krog, Nadine Gordimer, J.M. Coetzee, André Brink, Deon Meyer, and Lebo Mashile, working across English, Afrikaans, Kaaps, and other literary traditions.

Born in 1950, George Lory served as Cultural Adviser in South Africa from 1990 to 1994 during the country’s democratic transition. He later became Director of International Affairs at RFI and, from Johannesburg, served as Delegate General of the Alliances Françaises in Southern Africa from 2009 to 2013. Alongside his translation work, he has published poetry collections, including one in Afrikaans, and has long been passionate about the meeting point between language, literature, and place.

The evening will take the form of an informal literary round table with academics, students, and guests — creating space for discussion, questions, and exchange in a relaxed setting. The conversation will take place primarily in English, with occasional touches of French and Afrikaans.

We invite students, academics, language enthusiasts, and lovers of literature to join us for an evening of thoughtful conversation on translation, language, and South African writing.

Date: Thursday, 21 May 2026

Time: 18:00

Venue: NWU Building E9, Room 2G10

Hosted by: Alliance Française Potchefstroom & NWU Subject Group French

RSVP: Before 19 May