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Spanish to French Translation Workshop
Trade your standard grammar drills for the thrill of capturing a story's soul in a new language. This interactive workshop lets you collaborate with fellow word lovers to unlock the secrets behind a piece of Spanish literature. Beginners are more than welcome to join the fun and experiment with the art of translation.
Instituto Cervantes, Biblioteca Octavio Paz (Paris 8th)
About
The Octavio Paz Library at the Instituto Cervantes hosts a literary translation workshop from Spanish to French on Thursday, November 19, 2026. Led by professional translator Marianne Millon, participants work on a specific literary excerpt to explore the nuances of language and create their own versions. Open to all proficiency levels, including beginners, this two-hour session focuses on collective discovery and sharing. The event is free and wheelchair accessible, but booking in advance is mandatory. Please note that this activity is reserved for adults aged 18 and over.
The Octavio Paz Library of the Instituto Cervantes in Paris, located at 7 Rue Quentin Bauchart (75008), and the Germaine Tillion Library of the City of Paris invite you to the translation workshop offered by ATLAS (Association for the Promotion of Literary Translation) on Thursday, November 19, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
With Marianne Millon, participants will be invited—with the help of a literal translation or a lexicon—to explore an excerpt from a literary work.
For two hours, the group of "translators for a day" will listen to the original text to make it their own and reach one or more translations. The workshop will conclude with the reading and sharing of the group's versions and findings. People of all levels of Spanish, including beginners, are welcome to participate.
The workshop will take place at the Octavio Paz Library of the Instituto Cervantes, located at 7 Rue Quentin Bauchart in the 8th arrondissement - and not Avenue Marceau, as it was in previous years. In the first semester of 2027, a new session will take place at the Germaine Tillion Library.
To book, click here
Marianne Millon is a literary translator of fiction in Spanish and Catalan. Among the authors translated are: José Carlos Somoza (Spain), Albert Sánchez Piñol (Catalonia), Alberto Ruy Sánchez (Mexico), Wendy Guerra (Cuba), María José Ferrada (Chile), and Mercedes Rosende (Uruguay). She regularly leads translation workshops for Master's translation programs at universities, as well as in middle and high schools.
Our take on this event
Join us on Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 18:30 to 20:30 at the Octavio Paz Library, located at 7 Rue Quentin Bauchart in the 8th arrondissement. Organized by the association ATLAS in partnership with the City of Paris, this workshop offers a hands-on approach to literary translation.
Marianne Millon, an expert translator of Spanish and Catalan fiction, guides the group through the process of translating a literary text. Using dictionaries and literal translations, participants develop their own rendition of the source material. The session concludes with a group reading and a discussion of the various creative choices made by those in attendance.
Whether you are a beginner or fluent in Spanish, you are welcome to participate. This workshop is exclusively for those aged 18 and up. The facility is fully wheelchair accessible. To secure your spot, you must register in advance either online, by phone, or in person at the library.
