Join us for an unforgettable evening of poetry, translation and friendship. Armenian-Turkish poet Karin Karakaşlı will read alongside acclaimed British poet Sarah Howe. They will be joined by their bridge translator Canan Maraşlıgil to discuss the process of carrying poems between languages, which offers at once a complex technical challenge and a space for genuine connection and dialogue.
In her new bilingual chapbook, History-Geography, Karin Karakaşlı explores her anguish for Turkey’s silent histories, from the 1915 Armenian genocide to the denial of Kurdish identity today, and her love for its geographies, especially the city of Istanbul where she lives. Howe’s exploration of her own histories and geographies led her to write her T.S. Eliot Prize-winning debut collection Loop of Jade in 2015. Her fresh new versions of Karakaşlı’s poems offer Anglophone readers a rare chance to experience this vital poetic voice in English.
Readings will be in Turkish and English. This event is presented in partnership with Asia House.
The event will be followed by a book signing and drinks reception.
