Broadcaster and translator, Dawood Azami, joined us for a fascinating workshop in which we translated a powerful poem pleading for peace by leading Afghan poet, Darwesh Durrani, who writes in Pashto.
‘Oh Warrior of My Sacred Land’ was written by Durrani on 6th December 2001, only weeks after the US and Coalition forces entered Afghanistan, ostensibly in response to the events of 11th September. In the poem, Durrani asks his people to recognise that they are being manipulated by foreigners who foment unrest and flood the country with guns.
Dawood’s documentary, Guantanamo Voices, formed part of the BBC World Service’s Freedom 2014 series.
Our poetry translation workshops are one of the PTC’s core activities. Through them we’ve first encountered some of the poets we’ve gone on to translate, publish and record at length. A significant number of the poets who’ve visited the UK to take part in our tours were introduced to us by a translator bringing their poems to a workshop.
The workshops are open to anyone who has the skills to translate the poetry of a living African, Asian or Latin American poet with an established reputation in their own language. You don’t need to send us your translations before you join us.
If you’ve not attended one of our workshops before, please read this before booking a place.
Workshop places are limited so advance booking is essential.
Workshops are free, but if you can afford it, you are welcome to make a donation via PayPal (just click on the button below as usual and choose Donation).
