Deutsche Welle (English edition)
Amanda Gorman's inauguration poem appears in German
The recital of the poem "The Hill We Climb" was a highlight of the presidential inauguration for Joe Biden. But its translation into other languages has sometimes proven to be a contentious matter.
US youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman stole the show at Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration on January 20 when she read her powerful poem The Hill We Climb. Now, that poem has been or is being translated into a number of foreign languages, including German.
Gorman's poem was published in German on March 30 in a bilingual edition titled The Hill We Climb — Den Hügel hinaufby Hamburg-based publisher Hoffmann und Campe.
In an interview with German news magazine Der Spiegelpublishedon March 6, the head of Hoffmann and Campe, Tim Jung, said the translation of a poem of such "power and beauty" that has made such an impact "means a great deal of respon
sibility for a publisher."
"She is an activist who works against racism, who fights for diversity in society. This gave rise to the idea of taking an unusual approach at the publishing house and commissioning three people with different expertise and experience as a team of translators," he told Spiegel. Uproar about translators
In other parts of Europe, the choice of white translators became a point of controversy in the past month. It began in early March in the Netherlands. Ma
rieke Lucas Rijnveld, the writer chosen to translate Gorman's work into Dutch, declined to take on the assignment following criticism of the fact that someone who was not Black had been given the job.
Rijnveld made the decision public in a tweet: "I am shocked by the uproar around my involvement in the dissemination of Amanda Gorman's message, and I understand people who feel hurt by the choice of (publishing company) Meulenhoff to ask me," said the author, who also writes poetry. And like Gorman, who at 22 was the youngest US inaugural poet in history, Rijneveld was the youngest person ever to win the International Booker Prize with the novel The Discomfort of Evening, in 2020.
One of the voices calling Rijnveld to step down was Janice Deul, an activist and journalist who wrote an opinion piece in the Dutch daily newspaper de Volkskrant about the topic.
"Nothing to the detriment of Rijneveld's qualities, but why not choose a writer who is — just like Gorman — a spoken-word artist, young, female and unapologetically Black," she wrote.
Deul suggested it was a "missed opportunity" to have given the task to Rijneveld. She also named a few other people she thought were more appropriate for the job.
The managing director of the Meulenhoff publishing company, Maaike le Noble, said in a statement that it was now "looking for a team to cooperate to translate Amanda's words and message of
In mid-March, Catalan translator Victor Orbiols was dropped from the job by his employers, who said he did not have the right "profile," news agency AFP reported on March 10.
"They did not question my abilities, but they were looking for a different profile, which had to be a woman, young, activist and preferably Black," he told the French news agency.
After completing the translation into Catalan, his publisher received word from the US — it’s
unclear whether from Gorman’s agent or the original publisher — that he was not the right person for the job.
"It is a very complicated subject that cannot be treated with frivolity," the translator told AFP.
"But if I cannot translate a poet because she is a woman, young, Black, an American of the 21st century, neither can I translate Homer because I am not a Greek of the eighth century BC. Or could not have translated Shakespeare because I am not a 16th-century Englishman."
A diverse trio
Dutch and Catalan are not the only languages Gorman's poem will be translated into. A French version will be published in May, translated by upand-coming Belgian-Congolese music star Marie-Pierra Kakoma, who goes by the stage name Lous and the Yakuza.
In Germany, the translation trio was chosen long before controversies in other countries ensued. The team of three women included 33-yearold activist and author Kübra Gümüsay, whose book Language and Being, exploring the role of language in respectful communication, was a top-seller in Germany.
Working with her was the Afro-German political scientist, journalist and author Hadija Haruna-Oelker, whose work includes research on migration and racism. Finally, poetry translation specialist Uda Strätling lent her talents. She has already translated works by African American author Teju Cole and poet-playwright Claudia Rankine, among others, into German.
Jung told Der Spiegelthe translation trio did not cut the work into three separate parts, but rather "worked as a team and translated The Hill We Climb into German with one voice."
"This can, of course, go wrong, but it worked very well here and the result was fantastic," he said. (AP, AFP)
Correction March 4, 2021: A previous version of this article erroneously implied that German publisher Ho mann und Campe selected three women to avoid a controversy similar that surrounding Meulenho 's choice. The German publisher had already selected its translators ahead of the debate in the Netherlands. This error has been corrected.
There are several exceptions to the travel restrictions, including: people who have the right to reside in Germany and those who are transporting goods, as well as urgent medical transports and travel due to "urgent humanitarian reasons."
In addition, there are the quarantine rules set individually by the 16 German states. Travelers are therefore well advised to inform themselves accordingly.
Read more: FAQs for travelers to Germany during the pandemic
France
The world's top tourism destination country by arrivals, France has banned all travel with countries outside the European Union, due to a continuously high infection rate and new mutations of the coronavirus. Exceptions will only be made for a good reason. Complete information is available on the French Foreign Ministry website. France has reintroduced border controls until at least end of April 2021 and travelers from European countries over the age of 11 must provide proof of a negative PCR test, which must not be older than 72 hours. There are exceptions for those who live in border areas and those transporting goods.
France has added three more departments to the 16 already in a month-long partial lockdown, which began on March 20, in an effort to get on top of rising case numbers largely attributed to new, more infectious COVID variants. Around 20 million people, including those in the greater Paris region, are classified as living in high-infection zones. They are not allowed to travel further than 10 kilometers from their home unless they have an essential reason. Checks at train stations, airports and toll-paying motorways began on March 27, to enforce the travel restrictions. All of France is at a standstill: cultural institutions, landmarks, bars, cafes and restaurants are closed. This also applies to the popular ski resorts. Some categories of retail shops are open, but shopping centers over a certain size are closed. In general, freedom of movement in France is considerably restricted as inter-regional travel is prohibited. Across the country, a nighttime curfew is in effect from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. People are then only allowed to leave the house with a valid reason — simple walks, shopping or sports are not included.
Germany has also classified the whole of France as a highrisk zone, which means travelers arriving from France need to show a negative COVID test and quarantine upon arrival.
United Kingdom
Great Britain has tightened its entry requirements: In order to prevent the spread of new coronavirus variants, the UK as of February 15 obliges entrants from more than 33 countries on its"red list" of high-risk countries to quarantine in hotels for ten days. The countries affected are those classified by Great Britain as virus-variant areas, such as South Africa, all South American states, and the United Arab Emirates. The arrivals must book a 10-day stay from an approved list of hotels where they have to remain in their room and are provided with three meals a day. Security teams at the hotels monitor compliance. Passengers have to pay for their own stay in isolation.
Travel for tourist purposes is not permitted in and to Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In principle, people travelling to the UK must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR, LAMP or antigen test) before setting off. This may be taken up to three days before their journey begins. This regulation applies to England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. All travelers entering the UK, regardless of departure country or nationality, must complete a passenger locator form.
While mainland Europe struggles with a rise in cases, the UK is further easing lockdown measures, following its roadmap to lift all restrictions on social contact on June 21. As of March 29, referred to by British media as "Happy Monday," Brits can gather in groups of up to six people outdoors and team sports can begin again. The "stay at home" rule has also come to an end, but the government is advising caution and says people should continue to work from home if possible. Travel abroad remains prohibited unless for essential reasons and a £5,000 (€5,864) fine has been introduced for anyone attempting to holiday abroad. The government plans to announce later this week — earlier than planned — how it expects international travel to resume. On April 12, non-essential shops, hairdressers, beauty salons and outdoor drinking and dining at pubs and restaurants are to be reopened.
Italy
The country has extended its state of emergency until April 30, and entry from abroad remains heavily restricted. Complete information is available at the Italian Foreign Ministry website. Entry from most of Europe is allowed in principle but persons arriving from these countries must report to the local health authorities on arrival and provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours. They are also required to fill in a self-declaration form. On March 30, health ministry sources in Rome announced that Italy plans to introduce a five-day quarantine for all travelers arriving from European Union countries. Until now this only applied to arrivals from non-EU countries. When these new rules are to come into force, however, remains unclear. Arrivals from the United Kingdom (other than Italian residents) are banned indefinitely, and nobody (other than Italian residents) who has been in or transited through Brazil in the last 14 days may enter Italy. In addition, flights to and from Brazil have been banned.
Italy is seeing a new spike in infections and has therefore placed the country under a lockdown again. Schools, shops and restaurants are shut in more than half of Italy, including the two most populous regions containing Rome and Milan. Residents are required to stay at home except for work, for essential errands or health reasons. The extra restrictions will last until Easter, and over the Easter weekend (April 3-5) the whole country will be turned into a high-risk "red zone," meaning there will be a total shutdown.
Italy uses a traffic light system to its lockdown rules. Red is the zone with the highest risk of infection and white is the lowest. Currently classified as orange zones — the category for medium risk of infection — are Abruzzo, Basilicata, Liguria, Molise, Bolzano, Umbria, and the islands of Sicily and Sardinia.
Italy has 21 regions and none are currently in yellow with a low risk of infection. Until the end of March, there is a ban on crossing regional borders within the country. And a daily curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. remains in effect for all of Italy.
Spain
The country permits unrestricted entry from the EU, the Schengen Area and a small list of third countries, but has suspended incoming flights from Great Britain since December 22. The country's official tourism website
provides complete information and resources. On February 4, Spain introduced restrictions on inbound flights from Brazil and South Africa in a bid to stop the spread of new strains of the coronavirus detected in those countries.
Spain has been particularly hard hit by the pandemic. A state of alert and an overnight nationwide curfew is in effect throughout the country until May 9, although precise restrictions vary in each of the country's 17 autonomous communities (regions). As a result, different rules apply throughout the country. Restaurants are mostly allowed to either sell only outside or serve only outside. Many health clubs are closed, and theaters, concert halls and movie theaters are allowed to occupy only a fraction of their seats, if at all. Individual coronavirus hotspots are completely sealed off.
Find more information here.
Recent travel restrictions in selected countries across the EU
Austria
Austria has tightened border controls with all neighboring countries to contain the spread of the virus. Every traveler trying to cross the border has to present a negative coronavirus test; there will no longer be exceptions. In general, digital registration has been mandatory since January 15, with the exception of regular commuters and transit travelers.
The German government has declared the whole of Austria a risk area, with the exception of the Kleinwalsertal valley and the municipality of Jungholz, with a combined population of just over 5,000. Both exclaves can only be reached by road from Germany.
Austria is easing its coronavirus restrictions domestically, with schools, museums and stores reopening. Visitors and customers must wear medical masks, and a negative COVID-19 test is required for visits to hairdressers. Meetings of people from more than two households are also allowed again. The nighttime curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. remains unchanged.
Find more information here. The Netherlands
The Dutch government "strongly advises" against all travel to the country unless it is strictly necessary, and has stepped up travel restrictions as of January 23. From this date on, people traveling to the Netherlands not only need a negative result of a PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival in Holland, but now also need a negative result of an antigen rapid test, or LAMP (loop mediated isothermal amplification) test taken within 4 hours before departure to the Netherlands. Furthermore, all travelers are expected to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in Holland. After five days of quarantine, you can choose to get tested for coronavirus. If you test negative, the quarantine is lifted.
Find more information here . A nationwide curfew from 9 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. is in effect in the Netherlands until March 31, after that it will be from 10 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. The introduction of the curfew led to violent riots shortly after it came into force. The sale of alcohol and soft drugs is also banned in the Netherlands between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., as is their consumption in public. Coffee shops have to close at 8 p.m. Schools, most stores and restaurants are closed. Private contacts are limited to one person outside one's household.
Faced with dramatically rising infection numbers, the Netherlands imposed the toughest lockdown yet on its country since the pandemic began, extending it until April 20. Cinemas, theaters and museums are closed; only stores for daily needs are open. From March 3, a slight easing of restrictions has been introduced, allowing hairdressers, beauticians and masseurs to work again and nonfood stores to receive customers by appointment.
Belgium
Until at least April 1, people traveling to and from Belgium will have to provide a valid reason — such as family duties, work or studies — to be allowed to cross Belgian borders.
Also since the end of January all Belgians returning from Britain, South America or South Africa have been required to quarantine for 10 days and take a PCR test on the first and seventh day after arrival. Additionally, non-residents who wish to come to Belgium will have to present two negative PCR tests, one before departure and one upon arrival.
Currently citizens and residents returning to Belgium must take a COVID-19 test on arrival, self-isolate for a week and then take another test. All other arriving passengers also need to show a negative test. Belgium meanwhile has closed all businesses involving non-medical physical contact such as hairdressers for four weeks from March 27. Shops offering "nonessential" services can only receive clients with appointments. Find more information here. Portugal
The Portuguese government has extended and tightened border restrictions with other European Union member states as the continent battles a COVID-19 third wave. Portugal, which has been particularly hard hit in the pandemic, has announced that people coming from EU countries where the incidence rate is over 500 cases per 100,000 population may only enter for essential business and submit to a 14-day quarantine. Travelers from EU countries where the incidence rate is greater than 150 per 100,000 are allowed only for essential trips but do not need to observe a quarantine. All passengers, whether by land or air, must present a negative PCR test carried out over the previous 72 hours. Those who have not undertaken one will have to have one done at the airport, at their own expense.
Flights from Brazil and the United Kingdom continue to be suspended except for repatriation flights. At the land border with Spain — as was the case in the spring of 2020 — controls have been reintroduced. At ports and airports, checks have also been tightened. Exceptions apply to people traveling to work, returning to their primary residence or traveling on business, for the transport of goods, and for medical emergencies or humanitarian aid.
Once in the country, travelers are expected to abide by the same COVID-19 restrictions as citizens. Currently, travel is prohibited between different areas of the country.The measures are to last until at least April 16.
Portugal has been under a state of emergency since November 9, 2020. The situation is reassessed every 15 days and appropriate measures are taken. Currently people are only allowed to leave the house for a valid reason. Restaurants and stores — except for those supplying food and basic daily needs — must remain closed. Face
masks must be worn in public and social distancing and extra hygiene measures are in force in all public settings. Similar measures have been adopted in the archipelago regions of Azores and Madeira. Portugal has the second-lowest rate at 71 cases per 100,000 after Iceland.
Find more information here. Greece
Entry requirements to Greece have been tightened: online registration is mandatory and a negative PCR test no more than 72 hours old must be available. All persons entering Greece by
April 5, 2021, must undergo a seven-day domestic quarantine.
The Greek government has ordered a lockdown for the entire country, which has been extended until the end of March. Greece is being divided into yellow and red areas according to the infection rates which can be adjusted at short notice. Measures such as the general curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. (on weekends from 7 p.m.) may vary in red areas. As a result of the lockdown, travelling by boat, train, bus, or airplane across the country is also prohibited until further notice.Visit Greece provides a summary of all the important information. In general, during the day people are currently only allowed to leave their homes for a valid reason. All nonessential shops in Greece remain closed until the end of the month. Masks are mandatory throughout the country, including outdoors. Greece will also be distributing free do-ityourself COVID-19 tests in April due to stubbornly high levels of new infections, authorities say. Find more information here. Ireland
The situation in Ireland was particularly dramatic at the beginning of the year. For a time, the Republic had the highest number of new infections per capita in the world. After a temporary easing of the nationwide lockdown before Christmas, the infection figures there, fueled by the highly contagious COVID-19 variant, rose unchecked. In the meantime, the situation has eased but the infection rates remain at a high level and severe restrictions remain in place.
Ireland is currently under a national lockdown. The Irish government advises against all but essential travel. Anyone entering Ireland must present a negative PCR test no more than 72 hours old. In addition, all entrants, including Irish citizens and residents, are required to severely restrict their movements for 14 days after entry. Public transport capacity is reduced to 25%, and at peak times, use of public transport is reserved for essential workers. Travel outside a five-kilometer radius of residence and between counties is to be avoided. The wearing of masks is compulsory in stores and on public transport, with fines of up to €2,500 for noncompliance.
Find more information here .