Poetry Translation Centre to celebrate 20th anniversary

The Poetry Translation Centre (PTC) plans to mark its 20th anniversary year with "ambitious" activity including five showcases and a slew of publications, funded by an Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant. 

Celebrations will begin with Living in Language publishing in March, a collection of essays on the craft of writing poetry from 20 poets from around the world. The organisation is also planning five live showcases in Norwich, Newcastle, Ledbury, Sheffield and Manchester. Featured poets include: Azita Ghahreman, Yang Lian, Diana Anphimiadi, Habib Tengour, Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi and Xasan Daahir Ismaaciil ‘Weedhsame’. 

In September, the PTC will host an event at SOAS University of London and announce the winner of the Sarah Maguire Prize 2024 for contemporary poetry books from beyond Europe in translation. 

Real, a collection of poetry from Turkish poet Karin Karakasli and translated by Canan Marasligil with Sarah Howe, will also be published alongside The Thorn of Your Name by Mexican poet Victor Terán, translated by poet and filmmaker Shook, and Translation of the Route by Argentine poet Laura Wittner, translated by Juana Adcock, in partnership with Bloodaxe Books.

Publishing manager Ellen McAteer said: "Our 20th birthday is full of exciting events, publications and celebrations, including our third Sarah Maguire Prize ceremony in September, which rightly commemorates the late founder of the PTC, who is much beloved of the international poetry and translation communities. It is also a time for reflection and evaluation, before we go joyfully forward into our third decade."