Collective residencies / HUMANITIES III / Olot
LILA AZAM ZANGANEH
From Saturday, 4 February 2017 to Saturday, 11 February 2017
Bio
Lila was born in Paris to Iranian parents. After studying Literature and Philosophy, she moved to the United States to teach Literature, Cinema, and Romance languages at Harvard University. In 2002, she began publishing literary articles, interviews, and essays in such newspapers and magazines as The New York Times, The Paris Review, Le Monde, and La Repubblica. Her first book, The Enchanter: Nabokov and Happiness, has been translated into several languages, and she is currently finishing a novel titled A Tale for Lovers and Madmen.
Lila is fluent in seven languages and she is a memeber of the Board of Overseers of the International Rescue Committee and the Advisory Board of Libraries Without Borders. Since September 2015, she has also been Chair of Programs for Narrative4, a global story-exchange organization that promotes radical empathy.
Project
At Faber I will be working on finishing my novel, A Tale for Lovers and Madmen, the first section of which (“Black”) takes place in part in Catalunya. The book is a rewriting of the Chanson de Roland, and follows a knight through 1400 years. The first section of the book (constructed in seven colors) is called BLACK, and BLACK is in part set in Catalunya, not just in Barcino (in the 9th century) but also in the rugged countryside. It will be quite beautiful, and more than a little miraculous, to actually be in Catalunya as I complete this book.
The Faber residency was an enchantment in every way
The Faber residency was an enchantment in every way. The hotel has superb views, the air is clean and pure, the restaurant (both breakfast and dinner) is lovely and staff is incredibly kind. But above all, it’s the atmosphere fostered by Francesc Seres and Gavina Freixa that was enchanting and conducive to a most wonderful and productive stay. Francesc also went out of his way to give us extensive tours of the region and, most notably, its magical volcanos (Sta Margarita is one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in my life.) Beyond that, Faber also made sure all the writers and artists had events scheduled with a view to presenting their body of work throughout the region (in Girona, Figueres, and many other places). All in all, I was able to write consistently, made new fantastic friends, rested well, and left with a huge smile in my heart. I’m genuinely grateful to Faber — and the good news for me personally was that the residency allowed me to reach a new place in the book I’m currently finishing. Thank you, and it’s my sincere hope to see you all again, and often, in this life!