Literature is much more than a story written on paper. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a book is both a mirror of society and a window into the world of other cultures. Through novels, short stories, and poetry, we learn how a nation sees itself, but also how it sees others. This is where imagology comes in – a discipline that studies the images of nations and cultures in literature and the ways these representations shape our understanding of the world.

This workshop invites participants to explore together how literary works shape our perceptions of the “Other” and raises the question of whether the images we encounter in books are stereotypes, idealizations, or attempts at deeper understanding. How do authors portray “others,” but also their own societies? And how much do these literary images influence the way we see the world today?

The workshop is designed as an open and interactive space in which participants from different countries bring their own perspectives, literary examples, and reading experiences. In this way, the discussion itself becomes a small laboratory where we explore how stories cross borders and connect people.

At the end of the workshop, participants will summarize key insights about how literature shapes our perceptions of other cultures and societies, and present recommendations for one or more literary works from their own country that could help others better understand their culture.