English PEN has announced the latest winners of its PEN Translates awards, recognising 14 exceptional titles across 13 languages and 11 global regions. This latest round includes a diverse range of essay collections, short stories, speculative fiction, and novellas, exploring themes from postpartum experiences to reflections on genocide.

Among the titles selected are two standout works in Hindi and Urdu, featured through the PEN Translates x SALT collaboration: Eyes, Eyes, Eyes by Sara Shagufta, translated from the Urdu by Javeria Hasnain, and Once Elephants Lived Here by Geetanjali Shree, translated from the Hindi by Daisy Rockwell. This strand of the programme, in partnership with the SALT project at the University of Chicago, focuses on bringing South Asian literature in English translation to a wider global readership.

What is PEN and PEN Translates?

English PEN is one of the world's oldest human rights organisations, championing freedom of expression and supporting writers and readers worldwide. Its PEN Translates programme offers grants to support the translation and UK publication of outstanding literary works from around the world. Since its launch, PEN Translates has funded over 400 books translated from more than 90 languages, awarding more than £1.3 million in grants. Titles are selected based on literary excellence, publishing vision, and contribution to UK bibliodiversity – the variety and richness of voices and cultures represented in UK literature.

So Mayer, co-chair of English PEN’s Translation Advisory Group and chair of the selection panel, commented:

“There’s so much ambition and scope to celebrate, starting with first English publications for globally renowned writers like Mohammed Al-As’ad, Conceição Evaristo and Peter Kurzeck. Like these writers, Daniela Catrileo, Gaël Faye, Mar García Puig, Ana Paula Maia, Madame Nielsen and Maria Stepanova push at the boundaries where fiction and non-fiction meet in profound truths.”

Preti Taneja, co-chair of the Translation Advisory Group and chair of the PEN Translates x SALT selection panel, added:

“The projects we selected come from passionate publishers and showcase the best translations by new and established voices. These works contribute to bibliodiversity in exciting and meaningful ways, while offering Anglophone readers a rich literary experience.”

Nadia Saeed, Translation and International Manager at English PEN, said:

“It’s incredibly encouraging, in these times of growing uncertainty and censorship, to see publishers submitting such courageous and original works. These 14 titles are a testament to the power of translation to build empathy and spark understanding across linguistic and cultural borders.”

The PEN Translates 2024 Winners:

Children of the Dew by Mohammad Al-As’ad (Palestine), translated from Arabic

Chilco by Daniela Catrileo (Chile), translated from Spanish

The Backstreet of Memory by Conceição Evaristo (Brazil), translated from Portuguese

Jacaranda by Gaël Faye (Rwanda/France), translated from French

The History of Vertebrates by Mar García Puig (Spain), translated from Catalan

Across the Ice by Peter Kurzeck (Germany), translated from German

On Earth as it is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia (Brazil), translated from Portuguese

Lamento by Madame Nielsen (Denmark), translated from Danish

Disappearing Acts by Maria Stepanova (Russia), translated from Russian

Take Six: Six Ukrainian Women (Ukraine), translated from Ukrainian

Palestine Minus One (Palestine), translated from Arabic

La Lucha: Latin American Feminism Today, translated from Spanish, Portuguese, Mapuche, and Quechua

The PEN Translates x SALT Winners:

Eyes, Eyes, Eyes by Sara Shagufta (Pakistan), translated from Urdu

Once Elephants Lived Here by Geetanjali Shree (India), translated from Hindi

To find out more about PEN Translates visit https://www.englishpen.org/