VEMU Estonian Museum Canada organized the first translation competition in 2021, which turned out to be surprisingly popular: 26 people from 8 different countries participated. The winner was Tiina Otema from Toronto, who has, to date, produced her first translated work — Juhan Pütsepp’s “The Moon is Like a Golden Ship,” 2024.
2025 has been declared the Year of the Book, to celebrate the passing of 500 years since the f irst publication to include the Estonian texts was published. In relation to this, VEMU, in collaboration with the Estonian Literature Centre, announced the 2nd VEMU translation competition in order to find new translators of fiction works from Estonian to English. People of all ages can participate, who haven’t had a translation published. The goal of the competition is to encourage diaspora Estonians interested in language to get involved with the mother tongue and use their knowledge of the English language. Those who are not Estonian but have knowledge of the Estonian language and are interested in mediation of Estonian literature are also welcome. The competition could help in finding new talents who could aid in spreading the word about Estonian literature throughout the world, in the future.
Martin Algus’ novella “Põgenikud” (Refugees) is to be translated. The text can be found on VEMU’s site: vemu.ca. The deadline for submitting the translations is March 31, 2025.
We ask that the works be sent to piret.noorhani@vemu.ca or mailed to VEMU Estonian Museum Canada, 310 Bloor Street W., Toronto, ON M5S 1W4.
If those who are translating wish M. Alguse’s entire novella collection “Tagamaa” for better context, which the text originates from, please contact piret.noorhani@vemu.ca.
The translation should feature a key word/alias in order to be anonymous. We ask that the author’s name and other personal contact information not be present in the submitted translation. The author’s name, email address, home address, and telephone number should be sent in a separate email.
A jury comprised of three members will announce the winner in May 2025. The winner will have the chance to have their work published in the magazine “Estonian Literary Magazine” and a travel stipend to participate in the literary festival Head Read in Tallinn in 2026.