South African author Constant van Graan’s youth novel, Jungu Josh: Die Goue Kalbas (“Jungu Josh and the Golden Calabash”), the first in the Jungu Josh trilogy, has been selected for translation into Albanian through funding from the PEN Afrikaans Translation Fund, in partnership with Albanian publisher Ombra GVG. This milestone marks a significant step in bringing the magical world of Kalimbula to an international audience.
Jungu Josh: Die Goue Kalbas follows 13-year-old Josh on an adventure through the mystical East African valley of Kalimbula, where he seeks answers about his missing mother and uncovers a destiny tied to a golden calabash. Blending African folklore, magical realism and coming-of-age themes, the novel has captivated readers in South Africa, earning a 4.65 rating on Goodreads and adoption in South African schools.
The PEN Afrikaans Translation Fund, established in 2017 with support from the Trust vir Afrikaanse Onderwys (TAO), promotes Afrikaans literature globally by funding translations of noteworthy works. This grant enables Ombra GVG, a respected Albanian publisher, to introduce Josh’s journey to Albanian readers, fostering cross-cultural connections through storytelling.
“I’m thrilled to share Jungu Josh with Albanian audiences,” said Constant from Potchefstroom. “The story’s universal themes of courage, family bonds and self-discovery resonate across borders, and I’m grateful to PEN Afrikaans and Ombra GVG for making this possible.”
The translation is expected to broaden the reach of Afrikaans literature, aligning with PEN Afrikaans’s mission to celebrate and share South African stories worldwide. For more information about the Jungu Josh series, visit jungujosh.com or contact the literary agent, Catrina Wessels, at catrina@catrinawessels.com.
Media Contact
Sara-Lea van Eeden
Email: sara-lea@s-ellepr.com
Phone: +27 (0)83 446 6109
Literary Agent
Catrina Wessels
Email: catrina@catrinawessels.com
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