International PEN Poem Relay

The International PEN Poem Relay is an initiative created and launched by Sydney PEN and Swiss German PEN.

PEN Centres are being asked to translate and record a short poem, 'June' (Liuyue) by the imprisoned Chinese poet and journalist Shi Tao, into as many languages as possible. Via a website with a map of the world and a relay itinerary (similar to the Olympic Torch Relay itinerary), the poem virtually 'travels' around the world, from centre to centre, language to language, adding new translations as it goes and ending in Beijing for the 2008 Olympics.

Visitors to the website can track the poem's progress and read and hear new translations of the poem as it arrives at each new centre.

To participate go to www.penpoemrelay.org or contact:

Chip Rolley
Sydney PEN
Email: chiprolley@pacific.net.au

Kristin T. Schnider
Swiss German PEN Centre
Email: PENZentrum-DSchweiz@gmx.ch