Japanese author Sayaka Murata visited Bulgaria for the first time, participating in the Literary Talks Festival at Sofia’s City Stage on Thursday. The discussion was moderated by Bulgarian literary critic Darin Tenev, with interpretation provided by Albena Todorova. Murata, recognized as a significant figure in contemporary Japanese literature, has had her works, including Convenience Store Woman and Earthlings, translated into Bulgarian by Colibri Publishing House.
Her novel Shoumetsu sekai is a finalist for the Locus Award 2026 in the Translated Novel category, and her writing has been translated into over 30 languages. During the event, the Japanese Ambassador to Bulgaria, Chikahisa Sumi, offered welcoming remarks. Murata’s writing frequently critiques the trend toward homogeneity in modern society.
She discussed her interest in the concept of “individuality,” noting how its distortion can lead to authoritarianism. The conversation also referenced George Orwell’s 1984, exploring themes of exclusion even within seemingly individualistic societies. Murata’s characters often exhibit a quiet resistance through non-participation, a theme explored in works like Sekai 99.
The discussion also covered the intersection of traditional storytelling and ambiguity in contemporary literature. When questioned about writing taboo subjects, Murata stated that she feels no limits on her writing, likening her process to a laboratory. At the close of the event, she mentioned her habit of seeking out editions of Albert Camus’ The Stranger in foreign bookstores.
The Literary Talks Festival, themed “Dystopia and Resistance,” featured Murata alongside Booker Prize winner Paul Lynch, solidifying its status as a major literary event.
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