Articles

Some Thoughts on Co-Translating Gaarriye

by W N Herbert

W N Herbert offers a fascinating insight into how he approached co-translating Somali poetry. In this essay he describes his induction into the marvellous complexities of Somali verse and how he came to terms with the formal dexterities of Gaarriye's 'non-lyric' poetry.

Translating the Poetry of Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac 'Gaarriye' for the World Poets' Tour 2008

by Martin Orwin

Martin Orwin describes his initial approach to translating Gaarriye's poetry as 'an intense, deep reading'. He aims to make literal versions that 'come to rest on the page dancing to as close a tune as possible as the original'. And he discusses the significance of 'the interaction between syntax, metre and alliteration' in Somali poetry.

'Manchester Central '

by Charles Beckett

The Conference Room in Manchester Central Library was packed with eager listeners for this event with three of our poets and their translators. It provided a very grand setting, with panelled walls and high sash windows. By the time we kicked off it was standing room only and there must have been at least sixty people in the audience.

'Reading Room - Six Poets and Six Translators at the British Library'

by Julia Bird

Julia Bird, the Poetry Translation Centre's tour manager, takes stock of our gala reading at the British Library.

'Somali Night at the Bluecoat'

by Charles Beckett

I never realised the Moon landings had such a profound and far-reaching effect. For Corsino Fortes, driving his battered Peugeot 204 from Kuito to Luanda, the moment he heard the Americans had touched down was a revelation. He stopped the car, got out, put his hands on his head and looked up at the sky.

'Poetry in the Bay'

by Charles Beckett

Coach D. I'm sitting opposite two of the world's greatest living poets. Gaarriye is pinching my salt and vinegar crisps. Farzaneh Khojandi is asking, through her friend and translator, Narguess Farzad, about Welsh place names. I am not being much help.

'Importing a Passion for Poetry'

by Sarah Maguire

If we could read the poets that move huge audiences elsewhere in the world, would it wake up our own? On the Guardian's blog Sarah Maguire prescribes a course of translation to restore the vitality of British verse.

'Finding an Audience'

by W N Herbert

Could there be an audience in Bristol eager to hear poetry from Somaliland and Sudan on a Sunday afternoon? W.N. Herbert is delighted to find there was. Read the blog for his account of the World Poets' Tour event at the Bristol Poetry Festival.

'Singing About the Dark Times': Poetry and Conflict

by Sarah Maguire

Sarah Maguire argues that 'translating poetry is the opposite of war' in the keynote lecture that she was invited to give at the StAnza Festival in 2008.

An Interview with Gaarriye published in The Wolf

by James Byrne

Gaarriye was interviewed by James Byrne for The Wolf, just before his return to Somaliland following his participation in the 2005 World Poets' Tour.

Extract from an Interview with David Harsent published in The Wolf

by James Byrne

In an interview given to The Wolf, David Harsent discussed co-translating Somali poet, Gaarriye. A full version on the interview was published in The Wolf, no.11.

'Literary and Literal Giants'

by Susannah Tarbush

Susannah Tarbush reported on our World Poets' Tour Men's Night reading at the Brunei Gallery, SOAS, on 13th October, 2005. The article was published in The Saudi Gazette.

'Unbroken Chain'

by Kevin Rushby

Kevin Rushby wrote this article for The Guardian after meeting the WPT poets from Sudan, Afghanistan and Somaliland.

PTC Poets Talk To BBC Radio 3's The Verb

To celebrate the PTC's World Poets' Tour, three poets - Gaarriye, his poet-translator, David Harsent and Sarah Maguire, were invited onto BBC Radio 3's The Verb.