Why is Undertow called Undertow?
By: Kaozara Okikiola Oyalowo
We have just launched our youth programme: Undertow. The poet Kaozara Okikiola Oyalowo came up with the name and here she tells us why it resonates with her.
Articles
On these pages you can find reviews of our translations and events; interviews with our poets and translators; blog posts; and a selection of fascinating essays on translation by some of the UK’s best known poets and translators.
Featured
Opportunity - Undertow: Polylingual Poets Please - DEADLINE EXTENDED
Undertow, the PTC’s Youth programme, is developing young poets and spoken word performers - The deadline for applications has been extended to MONDAY AUGUST 9TH.
To Speak England in Different Languages - Literary Prize
A literary prize for any language but one, for anyone who lives in the UK and lives between languages, from Specimen - The Babel Review of Translations.
Iraqi poet and PTC patron Saadi Youssef dies
Iraqi poet Saadi Youssef has died aged 87 at his home near London. Youssef was one of the Arab world’s most respected poets and the PTC’s first patron.
Latest
Helping Afghan poets at risk
For 20 years Afghan poets stood up for human rights in their county, these writers are now at risk. You can help by contacting your MP using our template letter.
Bienvenidos - Upon entering a multilingual poetry space
By: Michael Barnes
Poet and translator, Michael Barnes looks at the complexities of privilege and space when writing about multilingualism as a white, native English speaker
Sarah Maguire Prize 2022 Open For Submissions
The Sarah Maguire Prize for Poetry in Translation is an international biennial award for the best book of poetry in English translation by a living poet from beyond Europe.
“Poetry is not for people like me”: my mother-daughter lockdown reading
By: Payal Bhavsar
Current PTC intern Payal Bhavsar and her mother read poetry together during the UK lockdown, picking up PTC chapbook ‘The Cartographer’ by Hindi Poet as a way of getting to grips with anxiety and grief.
What makes us, and how poetry and languages can make us feel seen
By: Octavia Lamb
Octavia Lamb, the newly appointed Chair of the Poetry Translation Centre’s Board of Trustees, talks about her relationship with poetry and translation and looks forward to the PTC’s upcoming projects.
The Sarah Maguire Prize Winning Publisher
By: Tony Frazer
‘Anniversary Snow’ has won the Sarah Maguire Prize, here Tony Frazer, Editor & Publisher of Shearsman Books feels the joy of victory and reflects on the importance of prizes.
How Did I Get Here?
By: Brian Holton
Translator Brian Holton has won The Sarah Maguire Prize for his work on ‘Anniversary Snow’ by Chinese Yang Lian. Here he reflects on his life as a translator.
Where did ‘Anniversary Snow’ fall?
By: Yang Lian
‘For a poet, writing is like running a marathon’: The Chinese poet Yang Lian responds to winning the Sarah Maguire Prize with a reflection on his approach to poetry.
Anniversary Snow wins The Sarah Maguire Prize for Poetry In Translation
The winner of the inaugural Sarah Maguire Prize for Poetry In Translation is ‘Anniversary Snow’ by Yang Lian, translated from Chinese by Brian Holton with many others.
Sarah Maguire Prize for Poetry in Translation Shortlist
The Sarah Maguire Prize celebrates the best of modern poetry and showcases a range of different translation methodologies highlighting excellence in literary translation.