Twenty-eight literary professionals from across the world have been selected as delegates for the International Literature Exchange (ILX), a dynamic global initiative that champions innovation and cross-cultural collaboration in the literary sector.
The delegates, working across festivals, publishing, literature development, community engagement, journalism, education and more, will come together online to explore the challenges and opportunities facing all those who work with words, books and literature worldwide.
Led by the NCW, based in Norwich UNESCO City of Literature, the ILX is the latest chapter in a 15-year partnership with the British Council, designed to strengthen international exchange and collaboration.
This year’s programme is supported by Arts Council England and four UNESCO Cities of Literature: Bucheon (South Korea), Jakarta (Indonesia), Lviv (Ukraine), and Odessa (Ukraine).
By creating space for dialogue and creative collaboration, the International Literature Exchange programme builds skills and confidence while ensuring that literature, in all its forms, remains a powerful force for understanding, resilience, and innovation in a rapidly changing world.
The ILX 2025–26 delegates are:
- Indonesia: Andika Budiman, PannaFoto Institute; Dhianita Kusuma Pertiwi, Literary Translation Laboratory; Farah Rizki, Gramedia International; Farid Hamka, Bookhive Indonesia; Namira Daufina, PT Simpul Aksara Grup (Pear Press Publishing); Ni Made Dwi Ermayanthi, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival; Prihandini Nur Rahmah, Marjin Kiri Publisher.
- South Korea: Helen Cho, translator; Hyunah Kim, journalist; Jooyoung Joyce Park, Korea Open Cyber University; Sarah K. H. Yoo, translator; Seohyun Ahn, Hongik University.
- Ukraine: Anna Malitska, Litera; Iya Kiva, translator and journalist; Kateryna Sova, KRAPKY publishing, Art Is Closer; Liubov Baz, Motornyy Ravlyk Publishing House; Maria Galina, Kyiv Daily; Marta Gosovska, Laboratoria Publishing House; Nelly Klos, Lviv International BookForum; Viktoriia Grivina, Quiet Centre.
- United Kingdom & Ireland: Beth Cochrane, Creative Scotland; Gráinne Daly, Irish Writers Centre; Liam Offord, New Writing South; Nancy Adimora, OtherStories; Rebecca Robinson, Inpress; Sarah Shaffi, journalist and editor; Susie Thornberry, Metal; Zhui Ning Chang, khōréō magazine.
Delegates will work in regional ‘hubs’, each hosted by a UNESCO City of Literature, to examine local and regional issues before convening at an international symposium in January 2026. Here they will share insights, build networks, and present newly commissioned artistic works designed to spark conversation. These works will also be made available to the public via the ILX website.
As the editor-in-chief of an independent magazine, I am thrilled to be an ILX delegate this year and look forward to working with a brilliant group of colleagues to explore responses to today’s literary challenges and how we may begin to build more equitable literary ecosystems.
Since its inception, the ILX has brought together more than 150 literary professionals from 51 countries across six continents. Through five major editions, the programme has fostered dialogue, seeded international partnerships, and invested tens of thousands of pounds in global literary collaboration.
We are delighted to renew our support for the International Literature Exchange in this exciting new phase. Literature continues to be a vital source of imagination, empathy and innovation, and we are proud to work with our long-standing partners at the National Centre for Writing to ensure these exchanges thrive.
The ILX has also championed the work of over 100 UK-based writers on the international stage, including specially curated selections of emerging talent by acclaimed authors such as Elif Shafak, Val McDermid, Owen Sheers, Jackie Kay, and Kei Miller.
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