Press Release

Announcing the Shortlist for the 2007 Corneliu M Popescu Prize for European Poetry Translation

The Corneliu M Popescu Prize for European Poetry Translation has once again exceeded all expectations, with just under 80 collections being submitted. The standard of entries was so high that judges Anne Born and Dr Francis Jones faced a tough task in drawing up the shortlist.

Now being awarded for the third time, the prize was founded by the Poetry Society and the Ratiu Foundation UK to pinpoint the wealth of excellent poetry available across the continent.

The prize is named after Corneliu M Popescu who translated the work of one of Romania's leading poets, Mihai Eminescu, into English. On 4 March 1977, at the age of 19, Popescu was tragically killed in an earthquake.

The prize, which was first launched in 2003, is awarded every two years.

When asked about the importance of the Prize, Born and Jones both point out that the Prize is unique in that it is the only poetry-specialised translation prize, and that it gives poetry enthusiasts the opportunity to discover, appreciate and enjoy exciting poetry from countries whose writers are not so widely read.

Both translation experts and practising poets, Born and Jones add that the award serves to highlight the interaction between poets and translators and raises the profiles of international poets and of the translators, who live in the shadow of those whose work they reveal to a wider audience.

The shortlisted collections are:

A Leaf About to Fall
Ilhan Berk
Translated by George Messo
(Salt Publishing)

The Drums of Silence
Kristiina Ehin
Translated by Ilmar Lehtpere
(Oleander Press)

What Water Left Behind
Rutger Kopland
Translated by Willem Groenewegen
(Waxwing Poems)

Duino Elegies
Rainer Maria Rilke
Translated by Martyn Crucefix
(Enitharmon Press)

The Deleted World
Tomas Tranströmer
Translated by Robin Robertson
(Enitharmon Press)

Please follow the links to the publishers' websites for further information about each title and to order copies.

The announcement of the winner will follow a reading from the shortlisted books at the Swedenborg Society in London on Friday 7 September. The prizegiving ceremony will include a wine reception.
RSVP on 0207 420 9895 or Solange Moffi. Space is limited, so please reply soon to ensure a place.

-ENDS-

For further information about the Corneliu M Popescu Prize for European Poetry Translation 2007, telephone 020 7420 9895 or email Marketing.

Notes to Editors

- For further information about the Poetry Society visit www.poetrysociety.org.uk

- For more information about the Ratiu Foundation UK visit : www.ratiufamilyfoundation.com

- The Corneliu M Popescu Prize for European Poetry Translation prizegiving ceremony: Friday 7 September at 6.30pm. Hosted by the Judges and with a reading from the shortlisted books. At the Swedenborg Society, 20-21 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH (www.swedenborg.org.uk). RSVP on 0207 420 9895 or email Solange Moffi. Space is limited, so please reply soon to ensure a place.

 

 

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