Ten years after his death, the ideas of the Martinique-born poet, novelist and philosopher Édouard Glissant (1928-2011) are gradually acquiring a notable place in anglophone discussions on cultural identity and memory. The publication in 2020 of the first English translation of his Treatise on the Whole-World (published originally in French in 1997) attests to this growing reputation and the richness of Glissant’s vision.

In this reading group we will discuss an essay from the Treatise that touches on the hybridity of culture and identity, the role of imagination in enabling a relation to the world, and the right to opacity. In Glissant’s formulation, the right to opacity does not entail a “closing oneself off” or a withdrawal from relating to others, but rather the intuition that the pursuit of total or transparent understanding is at odds with the capacity to relate to others.

If you are interested in attending this event but cannot attend the location, we are offering a dual delivery option. Please email aab24@st-andrews.ac.uk if you are interested in this option.

The reading list is available via the CIMS website: https://cims.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/reading-group/

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