‘My salamander’ by Emma Neale translated for new anthology

Posted: Thursday Feb 15, 2024

Dunedin City of Literature was thrilled that a story by Emma Neale was selected to be part of the Leeuwarden UNESCO City of Literature anthology, Uitgesteld Geluk (Afûk, July 2023), a unique collection of stories and translations about beauty, happiness and what paradise might, should, could be, or not.

My salamander (from The Pink Jumpsuit: Short fictions, tall truths (Quentin Wilson Publishing, 2021)) was one of 100 stories included in the Happiness Delayed project in 2022 and one of 32 subsequently chosen for the anthology.

Henk Pröpper (former director of the Dutch Foundation for Literature, former director of De Bezige Bij – one of the main Dutch publishing houses – and former director of the Institut Neérlandais in Paris) chose the most notable stories to be included in the publication. Two editions were published, one Frisian language edition and one Dutch language edition. The Dutch and Frisian translations of Emma’s story were made by Jos den Bekker and Elske Schotanus respectively.

The inclusion of Emma’s story in the international anthology not only showcases our rich literary talent but also enhances a platform for diverse perspectives from around the world.