The winner of the second edition of Found In Translation prize announced!

Found in Translation is an annual prize given for the best translation of Polish literature to English language. This year’s award will go to Antonia Lloyd-Jones, for her translation of Pawel Huelle’s book “The Last Supper” (“Ostatnia wieczerza”), a novel raising fundamental questions about the nature of belief in modern society. Antonia Lloyd Jones will receive the prize from the hands of Pawel Huelle himself during the European Literature Night in the British Library on 13th May. The tickets for the event are available on the British Library website www.bl.uk.
 
The story of ”The Last Supper” is set in Gdansk and centres on a single day in the near future, when twelve men have been invited by their mutual friend, an artist, to model at a photographic session for a modern version of The Last Supper. The histories of the twelve men are revealed through their thoughts on the day: their wayward behaviour is a reflection of the role of the Church in Polish society today. The reunion is disturbed as a wave of terrorist bombs paralyses the city, creating upheaval and a sense of unease.

The awarded book has been prised by literature critics both for Huelle’s writing and Lloyd Jones’ translation. The Independent wrote: 'An intelligent, intriguing and atmospheric novel worthy of its inspiration. It is admirably served by Antonia Lloyd-Jones' nuanced and readable translation'.

Antonia Lloyd-Jones is one of the best translators of Polish literature into English. Born in 1962, she read Russian and Ancient Greek at Oxford. Her published translations from Polish include novels by Paweł Huelle and Olga Tokarczuk, short stories by Jaroslaw Iwaszkiewicz, and non-fiction, most recently by Ryszard Kapuscinski and Wojciech Tochman. Her translations of poetry have appeared in periodicals including The Edinburgh Review.

Found in Translation prize is co-founded by the Polish Book Institute in Krakow, Polish Cultural Institute in London, Polish Cultural Institute in New York and W.A.B. Publishers in Warsaw. The winner will receive PLN 10,000 (ca £2,000) as well as a three-month scholarship from the Polish Book Institute. The first Found in Translation Award, in 2008, was given to Bill Johnston for his translation of New Poems by Tadeusz Rozewicz (Archipelago Books, New York, March 2007).

European Literature Night in London is one of many events, which take place simultaneously across European capitals on the 13th of May to celebrate European literature in a genuine trans-European event. Here, writers from the Czech Republic, Italy, France, Hungary, Poland and Romania, introduced by their patrons, read their books and engage in a debate. A book signing session will follow the discussion. Rosie Goldsmiths, famous journalist and BBC reporter, will chair the London event. The emerging and established authors from seven countries, including Simonetta Agnello Hornby, (Italy) Mircea Cartarescu (Romania), Pawel Huelle (Poland), Tibor Fischer (UK/Hungary), Petra Hulova (Czech Republic) and Gilles Petel (France), will be talking about writing and their books. Pawel Huelle will be introduced by Jack Lohman, Director of the Museum of London.

European Literature Night will take place in Conference Centre, British Library on 13th May from 18.30-21.30. The ticket, priced £6 and £4 concessions are available on the British Library website www.bl.uk.