Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
The literary world is set to converge in Moscow this September as the Second Congress of the World Organization of Writers (WOW) unfolds at the World Public Assembly (WPA). Under the unifying slogan “We are People of the Same Planet,” the global forum will once again highlight literature’s role in bridging cultures, languages, and continents.
Building on the success of its first Congress held in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2024, WOW has expanded its reach and influence. This year’s gathering will feature seven parallel round tables, each addressing critical aspects of literary culture. Discussions will span from the role of writers’ communities in shaping humanistic values to the art of translation, the power of media platforms in promoting literature, and the influence of education and universities. Additional sessions will spotlight the nurturing of young writers, the significance of book fairs and publishing houses as spaces of interaction, and the intersection of drama and cinematography with storytelling.
WOW President Margarita Al emphasized the Congress’s innovative approach:
“This is our strategic format, our little literary Babylon. Seven themes, seven groups, each overlapping and fueling dialogue. It’s not a ‘sit down – break up’ format, but one where dialogue creates movement, where discussions evolve into concrete action.”
Writers from more than 100 countries have confirmed participation, including voices from Nigeria, Brazil, Egypt, South Africa, India, and Kazakhstan. Delegations will also arrive from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe, reinforcing the Congress’s global character.
A symbolic highlight will be the handover of the WOW flag: Nigeria, represented by writer Wale Okediran, will pass the baton to Russia, represented by poet and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Alexandra Ochirova. The Congress will also mark a historic moment as all past WOW Award winners are expected to meet for the first time.
The event will culminate with the announcement of the 2025 WOW Award laureates and the unveiling of the host country for the Third WOW Congress in 2026.
For Margarita, the ultimate goal is action:
“We want solutions, new translations, joint projects, support programs. Above all, we want working initiatives that strengthen international literary cooperation, ensuring that every participant leaves with the feeling: ‘I am not alone, I am needed, and together, we have started something real.’”