Scottish poet tastes success in Stephen Spender prize for poetry in translation

Ian Galbraith wins the open category of the annual competition with his rendition of ‘Quince Jelly’ by the Hamburg poet Jan Wagner

• Edith Hall - The Guardian, Saturday 1 November 2014

Quince was an essential ingredient in Galbraith's victory. Photograph: Stuart Jeffries

It was Stephen Spender, translator of Schiller, Rilke and Cavafy, who said: “When you read and understand a poem, comprehending its rich and formal meanings, then you master chaos a little.” It is in Spender’s memory that hundreds of people enter the annual competition that bears his name, organised in association with the Guardian, by translating a poem of their choice, a process that requires mastery of the original text and thus a little triumph over the chaos of modernity. Their translation can be from verse in any language, ancient or modern, along with a brief commentary on the translation process. The competition is open to UK and Irish nationals and residents. Prizes are offered in three categories: 14-and-under, 18-and-under and open.

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