Translator's Choice 2020 1
7 Translator’s choice Why does this book deserve
to be translated? Eva Kristina Olsson is as unique a figure in Swedish contemporary poetry as she is an influential voice, whose echo can be heard in the work of younger poets, particularly female ones. Her oeuvre feels important to translate not only because of its quality but because it is a point of reference. The Angelgreen Sacrament was an extraordinary reading experience for me. Such an experience is exactly what triggers my impulse to translate and transmit Swedish poetry: a desire for other readers to be part of something similar and access reading experiences that they can then handle themselves, in their own personal ways. I hope that Olsson’s abstract and free flowing, rhythmical, visual language will be noticed in Mexico – the poetic context I mainly translate for – and make an impact on its literary scene. I have yet to discover anything similar to her poetic voice amongst the poetry published there. “I hope that Olsson’s abstract and free flowing, rhythmical, visual language will be noticed in Mexico” Petronella Zetterlund Petronella Zetterlund translates into Spanish, lives in Malmö, Sweden, and Mexico City, Mexico. Two other favourites amongst books she has previously translated are: Ida Börjel Ma, poetry, 2014 Ma, Filodecaballos editores, 2019 Swedish publisher: Albert Bonniers Förlag Rights: Ida Börjel Iman Mohammed Bakom trädet ryggar, poetry, 2018 Detrás del árbol espaldas Filodecaballos editores, 2019 Swedish publisher: Norstedts Rights: Iman Mohammed