Bengali writer selected for international residency programme

Noted Bengali writer Binayak Banerjee has been selected by the University of Iowa to participate in the 2014 "International Writing Program" which will help him reach an international audience.
He is one of the 15 participants from as many countries across the world chosen for the ten-week residency which will start from August 23, a release said.
Banerjee has written novels like 'A Year with Sohagini', 'The Winner', and 'Star Harbor'. His poetry collections include 'You My Life', 'You Alien', and 'One Hundred Love Poems' besides the play 'Rabindranath Public Limited'.
The programme will help bring the selected writer's literary works to a wider audience and for them to learn more about American literature.

They will spend 10 weeks in residence at the University of Iowa in Iowa City presenting their work to local audiences, working with student translators, and participating in classes and workshops.
The programme will also include field trips to attend literary events across the country travelling for at least 10 days within the United States to meet local writers and collaborate with artistes in other fields.
The US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs division has funded the 15 selected writers to participate in the 2014 International Writing Program.