Japanese writer Sayaka Murata recently visited Bulgaria for the Literary Talks Festival, held at Sofia’s City Stage from April 23–25. The discussion featured moderator Darin Tenev and interpreter Albena Todorova. Murata, a prominent figure in contemporary Japanese literature, is noted for her works, including Convenience Store Woman and Earthlings, which have been translated into Bulgarian by Colibri Publishing House.
Her novel, Shoumetsu sekai (Vanishing World), is a finalist for the Locus Award 2026 in the Translated Novel category. Murata’s writing frequently examines themes of homogeneity and uniformity in the modern world. During the talk, she discussed her interest in the concept of “individuality,” particularly how its distortion can lead to authoritarianism.
The conversation also referenced George Orwell’s 1984, exploring the idea of those excluded from seemingly individualistic societies. Murata’s characters often exhibit a quiet resistance by refusing to fully participate in existing systems, a refusal that she explores alongside inherent dangers. The literary discussion also covered the relationship between dystopia and ambiguity.
When questioned about transgressing taboos in her writing, Sayaka Murata stated that she feels no restrictions on her subject matter, likening her process to a laboratory where different human elements assemble themselves. She concluded by mentioning her frequent search for Albert Camus’s The Stranger in bookstores abroad. The festival, themed “Dystopia and Resistance,” featured Murata alongside Paul Lynch, and included various events for writers, scholars, and cultural managers.
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