Modern Poetry in Translation

Ilmar Lehtpere

Translator

Ilmar Lehtpere had a bilingual upbringing in Estonian and English and is Kristiina Ehin's English language translator. The Drums of Silence (Oleander Press, 2007), a volume of her selected poems in his translation, was awarded the Poetry Society Corneliu M. Popescu Prize for European Poetry in Translation, and her The Scent of Your Shadow (Arc, 2010) was named Poetry Book Society Recommended Translation. His other translations of Kristiina Ehin's work are The Final Going of Snow (Modern Poetry in Translation, 2011), Põletades pimedust – Burning the Darkness - An Dorchadas á Dhó (trilingual Estonian-English-Irish selected poems, Coiscéim, 2009), A Priceless Nest, (short stories, Oleander Press, 2009), Päevaseiskaja – South-Estonian Fairy Tales  (Huma, 2009) and Noorkuuhommik – New Moon Morning  (selected poems, 2007).  Three new Kristiina Ehin translations are in preparation.

He has also translated her play, A Life Without Feathers.  His translations of Kristiina Ehin's poetry and prose appear regularly in leading British, Irish and American literary magazines.  He has also translated Estonian runo songs as well as poetry by Ly Seppel, Andres Ehin and others. 

His own poetry has appeared in Estonian and Irish literary magazines. Wandering Towards Dawn (Lapwing, 2011) is a volume of his and Sadie Murphy's poetry.