Popescu Prize 2007

The Corneliu M. Popescu Prize for European Poetry Translation 2007 uncovers Estonian treasure

Ilmar Lehtpere wins the Corneliu M. Popescu Prize for European Poetry Translation 2007 with his translation of Drums of Silence by Estonian Kristiina Ehin published by Oleander Press. Managing Director Jon Gifford said: 'The Popescu prize is vital in promoting, recognising and rewarding an area of literary excellence that is otherwise almost taken for granted. Poetry is relatively uncharted water for Oleander but if this marvellous success for Kristiina and Ilmar can bring forth a local press into the poetry mainstream, at least momentarily, then it will hopefully encourage other small publishers to take a similar chance. There is a wealth of poets near, and far flung throughout the furthest reaches of Europe, who can be brought in to a new and welcoming audience through the inspired conduit that is the translator. I'm very pleased that Kristiina's words will reach new hearts through Ilmar's talent and proud that Oleander could in some way help that happen.'

The judges Anne Born and Francis Jones, had a tough time picking this year's overall winner. But after much deliberation they agreed that the prize should be awarded to Ilmar Lehtpere.  Lehtpere had a bilingual upbringing in Estonian and English. His translations of Estonian poetry have appeared in various literary journals in Europe and America. With The Drums of Silence, Lehtpere provides a faithful and precise translation from the original Estonian, allowing the poems to graduate with sincerity and literary authority to another life in a new language. Kristiina Ehin is one of Estonia’s most beloved poets, having won the country’s most prestigious poetry prize. Her work reflects the influence of the traditional Estonian folk song, which dates back over two thousand years. It is honest, uncompromising, deeply personal, universal and utterly free from poetic fashion and convention. In Ehin's poetry the judges found an approach to describing the natural world that was at once shamanic, drawing on deep historical traditions, but at the same time extremely of the moment -all of which are reflected beautifully in Lehtpere’s translations.

The shortlist

George Messo for his translation of İlhan Berk’s A Leaf About To Fall (Salt Publishing)

Willem Groenewegen for his translation of Rutger Kopland’s What Water Left Behind (Waxwing Poems)

Martin Crucefix for his translation of Rainer Maria Rilke’s Duino Elegies (Enitharmon)

Robin Robertson for his translation of Tomas Tranströmer’s The Deleted World (Enitharmon)

About the prize

The Corneliu M Popescu Prize for European Poetry in Translation was founded by the Poetry Society and the Ratiu Family Charitable Foundation to pinpoint the wealth of excellent poetry available across the continent.

The next Corneliu M Popescu Prize for European Poetry Translation will be in 2009, the year the Poetry Society will celebrate its centenary.

For further information about the Poetry Society visit www.poetrysociety.org.uk  For more information about the Ratiu Family Charitable Foundation UK visit www.ratiufamilyfoundation.com

Published: 21/09/2007

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