New York, NY (September 12, 2018)—The Academy of American Poets, the producer of Poets.org, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Words Without Borders to share poems first published in this influential journal. A sampler of poems from Words Without Borders is now accessible to Poets.org’s many millions of readers, including poems in translation by Amarjit Chandan, Navtej Bharati, Yao Feng, Agnes Lam, Nhã Thuyên, and Ajmer Rode.
“We're thrilled to share more work written by poets in other countries with American readers, celebrate the importance of translation, and promote cultural understanding. For the past fifteen years, Words Without Borders has led the way in demonstrating how literature might promote empathy, which is something we care deeply about as well. To partner with them is an honor,” said Jennifer Benka, executive director of the Academy of American Poets.
To celebrate this new partnership, tonight the Academy of American Poets is co-presenting a Words Without Borders event: A River of Images: An Evening of Punjabi Poetry with Ajmer Rode and Rafia Zakaria. This celebration of Punjabi poetry will take place at Astoria Bookshop in Astoria, New York, and is free and open to the public. Find out more information about the event: https://www.poets.org/event/river-images-evening-punjabi-poetry-ajmer-rode-and-rafia-zakaria
Words Without Borders joins Hayden’s Ferry Review, Tin House, The Cincinnati Review, Kenyon Review, and Quarterly West as content partners of the Academy of American Poets.
Journals interested in working with Poets.org to extend their digital reach are encouraged to contact Mary Gannon, Associate Director/Director of Content at [email protected].
Visit the Words Without Borders poetry sampler on Poets.org: https://www.poets.org/listing/words-without-borders
Each poem also exists in our collection: www.poets.org/poems.
About the Academy of American Poets
The Academy of American Poets is the largest membership-based nonprofit organization fostering an appreciation for contemporary poetry and supporting American poets. The organization produces Poets.org, the world’s largest publicly funded website for poets and poetry; originated and organizes National Poetry Month; publishes the popular Poem-a-Day series and American Poets magazine; creates and distributes Teach This Poem and other award-winning resources for K-12 educators; hosts an annual series of poetry readings and special events; and awards the American Poets Prizes. In addition, the Academy of American Poets coordinates a national Poetry Coalition working together to promote the value poets bring to our culture and the important contribution poetry makes in the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds.
About Words Without Borders
Founded in 2003, Words Without Borders expands cultural understanding through the translation, publication, and promotion of the finest contemporary international literature. Words Without Borders has published well over 2,200 writers from 134 countries, translated from 114 languages. Their monthly online magazine publishes high-quality English translations of contemporary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, as well as reviews of thought-provoking new books in translation. Their blog, WWB Daily, offers commentary, interviews, and essays on timely topics related to translation and international literature. Their free public programs introduce international writers and literary translators to live audiences in New York City and elsewhere. For more information, visit www.wordswithoutborders.org.