VEMU Translation Competition

The Museum of Estonians Abroad (VEMU) in Toronto together with the Estonian Writer’s Union and Estonian Literature Center announce a competition to find new translators of fiction from Estonian into English. Participation is open to people of all ages provided they have not previously made public any translated book. This competition hopes to encourage linguaphile Estonians living abroad to delve more deeply into their Estonian language skills and to also use their strength in the English language. Non-native Estonian speakers who are interested in promoting the translation of Estonian literature into English are also invited to apply. This competition may help discover new talent, who in the future, could aid in the global dissemination of Estonian literature.

Contestants must translate both prescribed texts: Jürgen Rooste’s “Astrid Lindgreni surm”, Mehis Heinsaar’s “Rändaja õnn”. Texts can be found here at vemu.ca.

The competition deadline date is March 31, 2021.

To ensure anonymity please use a keyword, and submit your work to piret.noorhani@vemu.ca or by mail to The Museum of Estonians Abroad (VEMU) 310 Bloor St. W., Toronto ON.M5S.1W4. Personal data (name, address, e-mail and phone number ) should be submitted separately by e-mail.

A three-member jury will announce the winners at the end of April. Winners will be eligible for publication in the Estonian Literary Magazine and to receive a travel stipend to attend the translators’ seminar taking place in mid June in Estonia.