Japanese author Sayaka Murata visited Bulgaria for the first time during the Literary Talks Festival, held at Sofia’s City Stage from April 23–25. The discussion was moderated by Bulgarian literary critic Darin Tenev, with interpretation provided by Albena Todorova. Murata, a prominent figure in contemporary Japanese literature, is noted for works such as Convenience Store Woman and Earthlings, which have been translated into Bulgarian by Colibri Publishing House.
Her novel Shoumetsu sekai is a finalist for the Locus Award 2026. The conversation began with welcoming remarks from the Japanese Ambassador to Bulgaria, Chikahisa Sumi. Murata’s writing frequently critiques trends toward homogeneity in modern society.
She discussed how the concept of “individuality” can be distorted, potentially leading to authoritarianism, a theme echoed by the discussion of George Orwell’s 1984. Murata’s characters often exhibit quiet resistance by refusing to fully participate in prevailing systems, a tension she explores in works like Sekai 99. The literary talk also covered the relationship between dystopia and ambiguity, and how Murata incorporates and transforms traditional storytelling elements.
When questioned about transgressive themes, Murata stated that she feels no limitations on what she can write, describing her process as assembling “different human parts.” She concluded by mentioning her habit of seeking out Albert Camus’s The Stranger in foreign bookstores. The festival, themed “Dystopia and Resistance,” featured Murata alongside Booker Prize winner Paul Lynch, underscoring the festival’s focus on contemporary literary dialogues.
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