More than a century after his passing, Joseph Conrad remains a profoundly influential figure in world literature – celebrated for the depth of his narrative voice and the universality of his themes, despite English not being his native tongue.

The “Heart of Conrad” event invites the public into a thoughtful evening of conversation led by a diverse panel of scholars and creatives who will illuminate the resonance of Conrad’s work across cultures and artistic media.

Moderation and Panel

Chairing the evening is Robert Hampson, Emeritus Professor at Royal Holloway, University of London, and Chair of the Joseph Conrad Society (UK). A prolific critic, he authored notable works including Joseph Conrad: Betrayal and Identity (1992), Cross-Cultural Encounters in Conrad’s Malay Fiction (2000), Conrad’s Secrets (2012), and the recently published Joseph Conrad, Cosmopolitanism and Transnationalism (2023), as well as a critical biography (Joseph Conrad, 2020).

Panel contributors include:

• Professor Agnieszka Adamowicz‑Pośpiech (University of Silesia, Poland; President of the Joseph Conrad Society, Poland), author of Adaptations of J. Conrad’s Life and Works in Contemporary Culture (2022) and The Resonance of Joseph Conrad in Contemporary Culture (2023).
• Professor Kaoru Yamamoto (University of Shiga Prefecture, Japan), author of Rethinking Joseph Conrad’s Concepts of Community: Strange Fraternity (2017); translator of Conrad’s The Rover into Japanese (2022) and Robert Hampson’s Conrad biography (2024); currently translating Nostromo.
• Jacek Dukaj, acclaimed Polish science fiction author whose works span novels, short stories, and essays, translated into 19 languages. Among his achievements: an Academy Award-nominated animated short adaptation of his novella The Cathedral (2003) and the Netflix adaptation of his novel The Old Axolotl. He’s received the European Literary Award and the Kościelski Award.
• Robert Lemkin, filmmaker of African Apocalypse—a cinematic response to Conrad’s themes—will join the panel discussion following the film’s screening.
• Kasia Madera, BBC News Channel presenter of Polish heritage, known for reporting from the Poland–Ukraine border early in the Russia–Ukraine conflict. Fluent in Polish, she brings a uniquely personal and international lens to hosting the conversation.

What to Expect

• Insightful dialogue around Conrad’s relevance in today’s literary, cultural, and political landscapes, as seen through the eyes of international scholars, writers, and a filmmaker.
• Companion film, African Apocalypse, offering a creative lens on Conrad’s legacy and themes—screened before the panel and likely influencing the evening’s discourse.
• Community engagement in a supportive, accessible setting—with early access to the Knowledge Centre and concessions encouraging broad participation.

This event is a prime opportunity for Conrad enthusiasts, literature scholars, and curious minds alike to witness the global dialogue surrounding a literary master whose voice continues to echo across borders.

From Poland to Japan, from academic halls to screen adaptations, “Heart of Conrad” showcases how an author who once worked on the margins of language and empire now stands at the heart of cross-cultural conversation and creative reinterpretation.

Date & Time:
Friday, 7 November 2025, from 19:00 to 20:30 at the British Library’s Pigott Theatre in London. The event is preceded by a screening of African Apocalypse, directed by Robert Lemkin, starting at 17:00.

Ticket Information – more info here