Multicultural Shakespeare is an international journal devoted to Shakespearean studies; it is a forum in which researchers, especially those from non-English-speaking backgrounds, can air local concerns and themes that contribute to the creation and understanding of Shakespeare as global phenomenon.
Multicultural Shakespeare appeared for the first time in 1972 as Shakespeare Translation on the initiative of Professor Toshikazu Oyama, the President of Seijo University in Japan. Since then it has undergone various changes. In 1986 it became Shakespeare Worldwide: Translation and Adaptation, whose editor was Professor Yoshiko Kawachi, and in 2003, it took on its present title (and since then has been edited by Professor Yoshiko Kawachi and Professor Krystyna Kujawińska Courtney). From its very beginning, Multicultural Shakespeare aroused interest around the world and attracted many prominent scholars, soon becoming an important publication in Shakespeare studies on a global scale. Initially devoted mainly to translations, Multicultural Shakespeare developed into a publication mediating vigorous discussions on the adaptation of Shakespeare's texts, their ontology and cross-cultural significance. It created an opportunity to present the universal dimension of Shakespeare's works by focusing on their local values found in the cultures of Australia, Brazil, China, Finland, France, Germany Great Britain, Greece, Holland, Hungary, India, Israel, Japan, Korea, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Switzerland and USA.
First printed in Japan, now published in Łódź, Poland, Multicultural Shakespeare seeks co-operation with people who make, teach or simply enjoy theatre and literature, and who are interested in addressing the problems of translating, staging, reading and teaching Shakespeare worldwide.
We welcome contributions in various areas of Shakespearean studies, page and stage renditions of his plays, translations, critical analyses, book and theatre reviews. Currently, we invite submissions for volume 9 (24). The deadline for proposals is 1 June 2011.
