Poetry in Translation Prize shortlist announced

Publishers Fitzcarraldo Editions, Giramondo and New Directions have announced the shortlist for the inaugural Poetry in Translation Prize.

Chosen from 259 submissions in more than 55 languages, the shortlisted titles are:

• “With the Remains of My Hands” by Priya Bains, trans by Alex Mepham (Norwegian)
• “Beam of Light in the Winter from the Bowstring Played by a Crested Serpent Eagle” by Bukun Ismahasan Islituan, trans by Hugu Sutej (Bunun, Isbukun dialect)
• “The Dust Museum” by Liu Ligan, trans by Dong Li (Chinese/Mainland)
• “Water’s Edge and Other Poems” by Hiyori Kojima, trans by James Garza (Japanese)
• “Help Me Change My Bandages” by Maniniwei, trans by Emily Lu (Chinese/Taiwan–Malaysia)
• “Just Land” by Jaku Mata, trans by Eric Abalajon (Filipino)
• “The Past Is a Lonesome Town” by Osdany Morales, trans by Harry Bauld (Spanish)
• “Life on Three Wheels” by EM Palitha Edirisooriya, trans by Samodh Porawagamage and Kasun Pathirage (Sinhala).

The Poetry in Translation Prize is a “biennial award for an outstanding poetry collection translated into English”, said the organisers. The winners will receive an advance of US$5000 (A$7500) shared equally between the writer and the translator.

The winner is set to be announced in January 2026.

More information about the shortlist is available on the Fitzcarraldo Editions website.

Category: Awards Local news