Title

The Rylands Brief: Anthony Vahni Capideo

Creator

Smith, Jessica

Capildeo, Anthony Vahni

Dessaline, Guillaume (Editor)

Description

In Episode 6 of The Rylands Brief, archivist Jessica Smith talks to poet Anthony Vahni Capildeo about their work with Carcanet Press, which includes their 2016 Forward Prize winner, Measures of Expatriation, and last year's Skin Can Hold.

In this conversation they talk to Jess about how their study of Old Norse chimed with their interest in "the movement of the sea" and in migration as "roaming". They also discuss their new "expanded translation" projects, how the language of diversity and inclusivity struggles with the "superabundance" of love, and reflect on the work of fellow Carcanet poet Kei Miller.

The cover art for Measures of Expatriation is by Elspeth Duncan, and listeners should be aware that Vahni reads from a poem, "Kassandra", which mentions difficult and violent material, including rape. This podcast features items from an exhibition which celebrates 50 years of Carcanet poetry press, an exhibition which was installed in the John Rylands Research Institute and Library in Manchester in mid-March 2020. The week that is was due to open, the Rylands Library closed as a result of the pandemic.

The Rylands Brief is devised and written by John McAuliffe at the Centre for New Writing and Jessica Smith at the John Rylands Research Institute and Library. Thanks to Guillaume Dujat des Allimes for sound tech.

Date

2020