National Waiting for the Barbarians Day is an annual observance celebrating J. M. Coetzee’s influential novel “Waiting for the Barbarians” and its impact on literature and social consciousness.
Quick Facts
When is it?: November 4th annually
Tagged as: Literary Observance Day
What’s the hashtag?: #NationalWaitingForTheBarbariansDay
When was it founded?: Information not available
Who founded it?: Information not available
History of Title
“Waiting for the Barbarians” was first published in 1980 and quickly became recognized as one of Coetzee’s most powerful works. The novel, set in an unnamed Empire, explores themes of imperialism, power, torture, and human conscience. The title was inspired by Constantine P. Cavafy’s 1904 poem of the same name.
Timeline
- 1980: Original publication of “Waiting for the Barbarians”
- 2003: Novel selected for Penguin’s “Great Books of the 20th Century” series
- 2005: Philip Glass’s opera adaptation premieres in Germany
- 2020: Film adaptation released
Dates by Next Year
| Year | Month and Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | November 04 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | November 04 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | November 04 | Thursday |
| 2028 | November 04 | Saturday |
| 2029 | November 04 | Sunday |
| 2030 | November 04 | Monday |
Observed
The day is typically marked by literary events, book discussions, and reflections on the themes explored in the novel, particularly focusing on power dynamics, oppression, and human rights.
Fun Facts About
- The novel won both the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize
- It was nominated for the 1982 Philip K. Dick Award
- The story is narrated by an unnamed magistrate in an unspecified time and place
- The novel has been adapted into both an opera and a film
Quiz
- In which year was “Waiting for the Barbarians” first published?
- Who wrote the poem that inspired the novel’s title?
- What prestigious prize did Coetzee win in 2003?
(Answers: 1980, Constantine P. Cavafy, Nobel Prize in Literature)
FAQs
- Is the novel based on true events?
The novel is an allegorical work of fiction, though it draws parallels to South African apartheid. - How many pages is the novel?
Approximately 192 pages, depending on the publication.
Importance of Title
The day serves to highlight the novel’s enduring relevance in addressing issues of state power, human rights, and moral conscience in the face of systemic oppression.
Related
- World Book Day
- Nobel Prize in Literature Day
- South African Literature Day
- International Human Rights Day