Japanese writer Sayaka Murata recently visited Bulgaria, 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 for her significant contributions to contemporary Japanese literature, has had several of 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 writings have been translated into over 30 languages. The conversation began with welcoming remarks from the Japanese Ambassador to Bulgaria, Chikahisa Sumi. Murata’s novels frequently examine and critique the trend toward homogeneity in modern society.
She discussed her childhood experience of a teacher emphasizing individuality as the force shaping the future. A recurring theme in her work is the concept of “individuality,” particularly how its distortion can lead to authoritarianism. Participants also referenced George Orwell’s 1984, noting the persistent exclusion of individuals even within supposedly individualistic societies—a theme echoed by Murata’s characters.
Murata stated that the quiet resistance in her characters lies in refusing to fully participate in the current system. The literary discussion also explored the intersection of dystopia and ambiguity, as well as the transformation of traditional storytelling. When questioned about literary taboos, Murata responded that she feels no constraints on her subject matter, comparing her writing process to a laboratory where human elements assemble themselves.
Concluding the event, Murata shared her consistent habit of seeking out Albert Camus’s The Stranger in foreign bookstores. The festival, themed “Dystopia and Resistance,” features Murata alongside Paul Lynch, marking the tenth edition of the event.
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