It’s always particularly interesting when poets themselves are able to attend our workshops, so we were delighted that the Afghan poet, Reza Mohammadi, was able to join us for a workshop on his poems with translator Moheb Mudessir.
Reza is one of the most exciting of the new generation of Afghan poets and we’re really lucky that he happens to be living in London at the moment. Reza read his poems to us in Dari and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to sense the delicate lyricism of his poetry in the sensitive way he read them.
We translated two of his poems, ‘Spring’ and ‘We Are Reborn’. As always, there were some points at which it was very hard to make a decision about the small details of the translation and it was really helpful having Reza there who could act as the final arbiter on our choices. A fascinating evening. We were all very grateful for the insight that Reza, with Moheb’s assistance, was able to give us into his poetry.
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 can contribute a translation of a poem by a living African, Asian or Latin American poet who has an established reputation in their own language.
Workshops are free but places are limited so advance booking is essential. If you’ve not attended one of our workshops before, please read this before booking a place.
To book a place click here or follow the link below.
