The translation workshop highlights the growing interest in cross-cultural literary exchanges, particularly between Spanish and Arabic-speaking communities.
The initiative not only honors the legacy of Joan Margaret but also empowers young translators, fostering a new generation of literary voices in the Arab world.
Future workshops may expand to include more poets and languages, further enriching the cultural dialogue between the Arab world and Spanish-speaking countries.
The success of this program could lead to increased visibility for translated works in the Arab literary scene, potentially influencing future literary trends.
Four young female translators from Jordan and Egypt participated in translating the works of Catalan poet Joan Margaret into Arabic during a workshop held in the Wadi Rum desert. This initiative, part of the translation program 'Poets of Cervantes in Arabic' (POCENAR), aims to promote the works of Cervantes Prize-winning poets in the Arab world and support young translators.
The workshop, which is in its seventh session, was organized by the Cervantes Institute centers in Amman, Beirut, and Cairo. It featured discussions and creative sessions focused on translating bilingual poetry selections, with a special emphasis on the works of Joan Margaret, who was awarded the Cervantes Prize in 2019.
Joan Margaret, who passed away in 2021, was known for his contributions to both poetry and architecture, including his work on the Sagrada Familia. The workshop was moderated by Spanish poet José Luis Morante and included translators such as Anwar Abdel Fadil and Widad Bassam Al-Husseini, who translated from Catalan and Spanish to Arabic, respectively.
Alongside the workshop, a photographic exhibition titled 'Pastoral Nomadism' by Venezuelan artist Hector Parrilla was inaugurated, showcasing traditional pastoral practices in Spanish-speaking countries and drawing parallels with Bedouin traditions in Jordan. The program is supported by various organizations, including the Spanish Embassy in Jordan.
