Translation on Tap in NYC September 1 – 15, 2014

F_coverSlowly but surely this lovely August is winding down and giving way to a September that I hope will be just as pretty. I’m sad to see summer depart, but I’m glad that the advent of fall means some exciting new translation programming. Here’s what I’ve heard about thus far:

Wednesday, Sept. 3:

The great translator from the Spanish Edith Grossman will be participating in a roundtable on the “anti-poetry” of Nicanor Parra, about whom she once wrote a book (excerpt here). The panel celebrates the opening of an exhibition about Parra’s work. Grossman will be joined by curator Marcelo Porta, American lit scholar Marlene Gottlieb and journalist Patricio Lezundi. More information here. Instituto Cervantes, 211-215 East 49th St., 7:00 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 5:

Star German novelist Daniel Kehlmann will be discussing his new novel F, which is just out in an English translation by Carol Brown Janeway, who also published the novel, joined by Eric Banks, Director of the New York Institute for the Humanities. There’s no way this won’t be an interesting evening. By the way, since Kehlmann is published by Knopf, it means that the jacket of his book was designed by Peter Mendelsund, of whom I couldn’t be a bigger fan, especially after reading both the new books he published Screen Shot 2014-08-28 at 9.14.21 PMthis summer, What We See When We Read and Cover. The latter contains images of cover designs Mendelsund devised that didn’t wind up on the finished books (but are nonetheless generally fascinating, as are his thoughts on how he distills a book into an image). I haven’t seen Kehlmann’s book yet, but I assume it’ll have a lot more to recommend it beyond the cover. Deutsches Haus at NYU, 42 Washington Mews, 6:30 p.m., RSVP and early arrival strongly recommended.

Tuesday, Sept. 9:

Novelist Xiaolu Guo, who’s written a book about a translator, in conversation with singer-songwriter Nellie McKay and Sasha Frere-Jones. I’ve already written about this event in more detail; see that blog post for information on ordering discounted tickets. Liberty Hall at Ace Hotel, 20 W. 29th St., doors open at 7:30 p.m., program starts at 8:00 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 12:

1509_lgOn the Columbia University campus: Awards Ceremony and Reception for the 2013-2014 Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize for the Translation of Japanese Literature. This year’s prize is being awarded to Collected Haiku of Yosa Buson, translated by W.S. Merwin and Takako Lento (Copper Canyon Press). The awards ceremony is open to the public and will be held in the beautiful C.V. Starr East Asian Library on the first floor of Kent Hall,  5:30 p.m. More information here, RSVP requested.

Friday, Sept. 12 and Saturday, Sept. 13:

POETICA is a mix of poetry, jazz and translation (Catalan and English) featuring poets Melcion Mateu and Rowan Ricardo Phillips (who translates MM), fronting a band led by Alexis Cuadrado, with Miles Okazaki on guitar, Andy Milne on piano and keys and Tyshawn Sorey on drums. Translation + music, what’s not to like? The Jazz Gallery, 1160 Broadway, 5th Fl., with sets at 8:00 p.m. and 10 p.m. both days. Tickets here.

Monday, Sept. 15:

The Saint Ann’s Review Presents an Evening of and on Translation. Translators Harry Morales, Rika Lesser, and Alexandra Zelman-Doring read from their work, more information here. Saint Ann’s School, 122 Pierrepoint, Parlor Floor, 7:00 p.m.

And remember, Sept. 10 is the deadline to RSVP for the Sept. 19 symposium at the Nida School of Translation.

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