Indrek Koff wins August Sang poetry translation award
Wednesday 30th September 2026 on 19:00 in
Estonia
Indrek Koff has won this year’s August Sang poetry translation award for translating a poem by Vénus Khoury-Ghata from French, ERR reported. The award was presented on Wednesday at the Writers’ House during International Translation Day.
Koff was recognised for his translation of “Mothers and the Mediterranean”, published in the seventh issue of the literary magazine Looming in 2026.
The other nominees were Amar Annus, Maarja Kangro, Øyvind Rangøy, Pau-Eerik Rummo, Triinu Tamm, Jaan Undusk and Katrin Väll. This year’s jury comprised chair Margus Konnula, Anna-Magdaleena Kangro and Lauri Eesmaa.
Previous winners of the August Sang award include Järvi Kokla, Hendrik Lindepuu, Carolina Pihelgas, Märt Väljataga, Paul-Eerik Rummo, Maarja Kangro, Mirjam Parve and Anna Verschik.
The Lembe and Edvin Hiedel editorial award was also presented on Wednesday. This year’s recipient, Leena Tomasberg, has translated fiction and philosophical texts from French into Estonian.
Her recent translation and editing work includes Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s “Confessions” (translated by Kristiina Ross, 2026), Carolina Pihelgas’s poetry collection “Ikka veel” (2025), and the graphic novel “Ära oota midagi” by Indrek Koff and Olena London (2025).
Tomasberg began working as a freelance language editor and was a staff editor at Varrak publishing house from 2016 to 2021. Since spring 2021, she has been responsible for language editing at Looming.
The Hiedel award recognises long-term and outstanding editorial work, highlighting editors’ contribution to the linguistic and substantive quality of literary and philosophical texts. Previous recipients include Maiga Varik, Triin Kaalep, Anu Saluäär-Kall, Linda Targo, Asta Põldmäe, Kajar Pruul, Mart Orav, Krista Mõisnik, Terje Kuusik, Siiri Ombler and Katrin Kern.