Virtual Poetry Reading/Talk by Dunya Mikhail
Iraqi poet and writer Dunya Mikhail will give a virtual poetry reading/talk in Arabic on July 29 on the topic of “الكتابة الابداعية شعرا وسردا”.
Poetry
Online Translation Workshop: Iraqi Kurmanji poet Zêdan Xelef
The Poetry Translation Centre writes that they are “very proud to present our first ever workshop on Kurmanji poetry. We will be focussing on the work of Iraqi poet Zêdan Xelef, who works in this dialect also known as Northern Kurdish.”
Sunday Submissions: Stephen Spender Prize for Poetry in Translation
The annual Stephen Spender Prize for Poetry in Translation is open for entries until July 16.
Iraqi Poet Saadi Youssef (1934-2021) Dies in London
“In the early morning hours of June 12, the great Iraqi poet Saadi Youssef died at his home in the village of Harefield, outside London.”
’67 Children’: A Friday Poem by Ahlam Bsharat
“67 mothers calling”
Friday Finds: Two Poems by Ameer Hamad
“These two poems translated by Katharine Halls are small enough to carry in one’s palm; they utilise a mode of poetic witness attuned to distillation, frankness, and the startling force of an ending.”
Trading Misery for Death: The Tragic Death of a Sudanese Poet
“Let me hold you to my breast, / I have plenty of room. / Let me wash the dirt of misery off your soul.”
Women Writing in Arabic: 10 Poets to Read Now
“There is very little Arabic poetry by women translated to English; for Women in Translation Month (#WiTMonth), we offer a brief look at ten poets. Of the women writers listed — an eclectic list of personal favorites and by no means canon — only one, Iman Mersal, has a collection traditionally published in English translation”
Friday Finds: 8 by Abdul Zahra Zaki, 5 by Riyad al-Salih al-Hussein
Life is beautiful / says the sparrow / and drops dead beside the hunter’s shoe