Meet the author Iulian Bocai at PassaPorta on 22/10/2025 from 20:00

Spending his time in Brussels while working on a new novel during a PassaPorta literary residence during 6th October until 1st of November, author Iulian Bocai will meet the readers this Wednesday 22nd October from 20:00 until 21:30.

A most welcome presence as a Romanian author opening doors to cultural understanding through his novel Priță Barsacu translated by Charlotte van Rooden, this month taking his time for creation and the Brussels space for inspiration. The discussion with the Belgian author Jeroen Theunissen will most probably touch subjects related to the contemporary Romanian literature and its particularities. Each culture and country has something to share on its literary upbringing so far and maybe the dialogue will bring forth and bridge any gelijkenissen en verschillen in terms of actual subjects of interest, inspiration, perspectives, literary heritage, bias, writing patterns and recognitions. Translator Charlotte van Rooden, already an insider of Eastern Moldavian and Romanian literature, through her major translations of Tatiana Țîbuleac, Iulian Ciocan, Iulian Bocai and Ruxandra Burcescu, sucessfully sets the light upon contemporary writers worth getting to be known by the nederlandstalige readers.

Short bios by PassaPorta:

Iulian Bocai (b. 1986) is a Romanian novelist, essayist and reviewer who also teaches literature and creative writing at the University of Bucharest. In 2024 he was among the emerging Romanian authors selected for the European talent development programme CELA . Before he started writing, he translated novels and children’s books from English, French and German into Romanian. He has now published four books.

The author is looking forward to meeting the readers on 22nd October 2025 at the international house of literature Passa Porta located in Antoine Dansaertstraat 46, 1000 Brussel.

Photo: PassaPorta