Best of Latin American poetry comes to Wales

A new anthology of Latin American poetry is showcased at this year’s Fiction Fiesta event in partnership between Cardiff University’s School of English, Communication & Philosophy and Wales PEN Cymru.

Argentinian and Mexican poets will offer an enticing taste of the work to be found in The Other Tiger: Recent Poetry from Latin America, with translations by Professor Richard Gwyn,at the free public event on Wednesday 26 October.

In the launch of the first anthology of Latin American poetry this century, poets Jorge Fondebrider and Marina Serrano (Argentina) and Mexicans Carlos López Beltrán and Alicia García Bergua will give short readings on a whistle-stop UK tour taking in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Newcastle.

“A wonderful anthology . . . the translations are beautiful and to the point. This is a book that belongs in every library” - Edith Grossman, translator of Gabriel García Márquez and Mario Vargas Llosa

Bringing together modern voices from post 1945 Latin America for the first time, The Other Tiger is the only major collection of Latin American poetry available in the English speaking world. Established names and new voices feature in the volume of 156 poems including almost 100 poets from 16 countries.  Published by Seren, the ground-breaking collection is the work of award-winning writer Richard Gwyn.

The Welsh poet, novelist and translator has published poetry in translation from Spanish, Catalan and Turkish. Head of Creative Writing at Cardiff University, Professor Gwyn acted as The Arts Council of Wales Creative Ambassador in 2014, meeting poets across the Latin American region. His latest memoir The Vagabond’s Breakfast won a Wales Book of the Year Award for creative non-fiction.

Professor Gwyn said: “I’m delighted to bring these exciting and eminent poets to wider attention through Fiction Fiesta’s partnership with Wales PEN Cymru and continue to champion the writing of Latin America. With the appointment of a Mexican Honorary Consul in Cardiff, and in the year that Argentina celebrates 200 years of independence, it’s fitting to bring a selection of these countries’ most celebrated poets to Wales to share their work.”

The event will begin with a discussion between Gwyn and Fondebrider about translation and the origins of the new anthology. There will be a wine reception in the presence of representatives of Argentine and Mexican Embassies and Mexican Honorary Consul to Wales Glynn James Pegler.

Part of #WeAreInternational World Week, Fiction Fiesta takes place in the Council Chamber of  Cardiff University’s Main Building on Wednesday 26 October at 5.30pm.  For free tickets, please book online here.