The Polish Embassy hosted a literary evening in honour of International Women's Day, in conjunction with Victoria's Wai-te-ata Press, New Zealand Centre for Literary Translation, and Deaf Studies Research Unit.

On Thursday 12 March, Polish Consul Agnieszka Kacperska and her spouse, Mr Zbigniew Gniatkowski, Polish Ambassador to New Zealand, hosted a poetry evening honouring the life and work of Halina Poświatowska (1935-1967) at the Wellington Club in the presence of diplomats, special guests, Victoria students and staff.

A unique keepsake was produced for the occasion by Wai-te-ata Press in collaboration with the New Zealand Centre for Literary Translation and Victoria’s Deaf Studies Research Unit.

The poem “Jestem Julią” – a poignant post-Romeo hymn to life and love – was translated by an all-female cast: into English by PhD candidate Loveday Kempthorne; into te reo M ā ori by Dr Arini Loader from the History Programme; given a creative response by the Samoan writer Courtney Sina Meredith; and illustrated with a response in NZ Sign Language. “Jestem Julią ” is the second title in a new Diplomatic series entitled Global Translations, featuring creative conversations between town and gown, global capitals and civic universities.

Victoria School of Languages and Cultures student Te Oranoa Wawatai who read Jestem Julią in te reo with Polish Consul Agnieszka Kacperska.

Photo credit: Anna Gołębicka - Buchanan

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