I’ve had the privilege recently to help a little bit with recommending some international poets for an initiative led by the brilliant Stephen Spender Trust. This spring, as part of a new, free-to-enter schools strand called the Schools Laureate Prize, they’ve developed a new online bank of suggested poems for pupils to translate. It’s 60 plus languages and scope for future development too, and I was really happy to put forward some remarkable poets for it, including those from languages really stretching across the globe

This is a resource for everyone truly, so please check it out and share it! In addition the adult category is also now open, with 45 days left to submit, details below.

Stephen Spender Prize for poetry in translation 2023 | Open for entries from 12 May, deadline 14 July

Calling all budding poets! The 2023 Stephen Spender Prize for poetry in translation is now open for entries. Translate ANY poem from ANY language into English, and win publication and cash prizes!

This year, the Stephen Spender Trust is delighted to extend the Open category to adults aged 19+ from all over the world, welcoming translations into all World Englishes.

The winning translations will be chosen by Taher Adel, Samantha Schnee and Jennifer Wong, with top prizes of £1000, £500 and £250, plus three special commendations for first-time entrants.

For full details and a wealth of poetry translation resources, including a Guide to Poetry Translation for Newcomers and interviews with last year’s winning and commended translators, head to the Open Entry webpage: https://www.stephen-spender.org/stephen-spender-prize/open-entry/.

You can also follow the latest Prize news on social media. Twitter: @StephenSpender #SSTPoetryPrize2023 | Facebook: @StephenSpenderTrust | Instagram: @stephenspendertrust