Latest News Archive
Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
25 September 2024
|
Story Jacky Tshokwe
|
Photo Supplied
Prof Louise Cilliers, University of the Free State (UFS) research fellow and former head of the Department of Classical Studies.
Prof Louise Cilliers, one of our esteemed research fellows and former head of the Department of Classical Studies, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 UJ Translation Prize. Prof Cilliers received this accolade for her exceptional Afrikaans translation of the renowned Greek poet Konstantinos Kavafis' poetry collection, Van Alexandrië na Ithaka, published by Naledi.
Konstantinos Kavafis (1863-1933) is considered one of the most important literary figures in modern Greek poetry, known for his reflective and often philosophical poems that explore themes of history, identity, and human experience. In Van Alexandrië na Ithaka, Prof Cilliers brings the essence of Kavafis’ work to Afrikaans readers, carefully preserving the poet’s rich symbolism, historical depth, and emotional nuances.
Prof Cilliers has had a distinguished academic career, having served as head of the Department of Classical Studies. Her expertise in classical languages and literature, coupled with her passion for translation, made her an instrumental figure in making classical texts more accessible to a broader audience. This award is not only a testament to her scholarly achievements, but also to her dedication to the cultural and literary enrichment of the Afrikaans language.
The UJ Prize for Translation honours outstanding translations of literary works into any of South Africa’s official languages. Prof Cilliers' recognition continues the department's proud tradition of excellence in classical scholarship and language studies.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof Cilliers for this remarkable achievement and are excited to celebrate her continued contributions to the field of classical studies and translation.
About the UJ Translation Prize
The University of Johannesburg Translation Prize celebrates the best translations of literary works into any of South Africa’s official languages. It aims to promote high standards of literary translation and showcase the importance of bringing international literary voices into the local context through translation.
Prof Van den Oever gives students a different perspective
2016-05-06
Prof Annie van den Oever from the Netherlands presented a series of guest lectures on media technologies to students of the Film and Visual Media Programme at the University of the Free State (UFS). Here from left is Chris Vorster, lecturer in Drama and Theatre Arts, Prof Van den Oever, and Dr Pieter Venter, Senior lecturer at Drama and Theatre Arts.
Photo: Jóhann Thormählen |
She played a part in conceptualising the Film and Visual Media Programme at the University of the Free State (UFS), and sees film from a perspective different from most young South Africans.
According to Chris Vorster, lecturer of the UFS BA Honours degree in Film and Visual Media, this is one of the reasons why Prof Annie van den Oever’s visit is of such great value. The actor, who is a lecturer in Drama and Theatre Arts, believes it is important to expose his students to influences outside their normal experience.
Prof Van den Oever, an extraordinary professor at the UFS since 2011, presented a series of guest lectures on media technologies from 11-14 April 2016 at the Audio Visual Studio on the Bloemfontein Campus. She is a senior researcher for Film at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, and an Associated Researcher for Film at Paris 1, Panthéon Sorbonne, in France.
Another milieu
“It is invaluable for students, in any field of study, to receive as many influences from the outside. Therefore, it is important to have someone here from another milieu and context. And academically, she is outstanding,” says Vorster.
Vorster’s students are also exposed to practical expertise from the industry in the country, not only academics.
Relationship with UFS
Prof Van den Oever says she usually visits the UFS twice a year. Her recent lecture series on media technologies was about the power of visual and film culture today, and how you can understand its powers. “Why strange effects work strongly and why the strange is inserted, because people respond strongly to them,” she says.
Prof van den Oever enjoys meeting new people, and often works with colleagues from the UFS on various projects. She also is full of praise for the management of the university. “It is great to work across cultures, and be part of a university in transition.”