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The show goes on for the International Society for Contemporary Literature and Theatre, a network founded by Salzburg Global Fellows

Members of a literary society formed in the aftermath of a Salzburg Global Seminar program have celebrated the network’s 45th anniversary.

The International Society for Contemporary Literature and Theatre (ISCLT) moved their celebrations online this year due to the spread of COVID-19.

ISCLT was established in 1975, two years after inaugural members met at what was then known as the Salzburg Seminar, during the program, Contemporary American Literature.

ISCLT usually holds an annual two-week conference in a different country in the second half of July. This year, members planned to meet in Solin, Croatia, to celebrate its latest milestone, but organizers postponed the event until July 2021.

Marina Catalano-McVey, ISCLT executive secretary and Salzburg Global Fellow, thought of alternative ways for members to stay in touch, work together, and contribute toward a booklet celebrating the 45th anniversary.

She said, “It was amazing to see the response. We met virtually once a week during the summer and continued organizing prose and poetry reading sessions.”

“This experience has been so valuable also because we could be in contact with several members who have not been able to attend for the conference for several years for several reasons.”

“We have also organized our traditional final banquet through Zoom. The membership showed such enthusiasm and interest that I have decided to keep organizing Zoom meetings from time to time during the year.”

ISCLT is continuing to welcome new members. Catalano-McVey said, “ISCLT has proved extremely vital and creative in spite of the present dramatic situation, and we do hope we can inspire new members who may wish to join us and provide the Society with new vital energy in the future.”

For more information on ISCLT, visit http://isclt.org/Home2.html or email Marina Catalano-McVey at catalano.marina14@gmail.com.