Samantha Zighelboim and poet, translator, and essayist Julia Guez have been collaborating on translating Luis Chaves’ collection of poems, Equestrian Monuments/Monumentos Ecuestres (Editorial Germinal, San José, 2011). Chaves is a Costa Rican poet who was recently awarded the National Prize in Poetry from the Ministerio de Cultura in San José. He is considered one of the leading figures in contemporary Costa Rican poetry and is frequently spoken about as the new national poet. Julia first encountered Chaves’ work while on Fulbright in Costa Rica, where she spent a year researching the literary scene and its poets. Soon after her return, she asked Sam to join forces with her to bring this incredible collection—and Chaves’ work, for the first time ever—into English.

Connect with Julia Guez (@G_U_E_Z) and Luis Chaves (@luischaves) on Twitter for updates, publications and news about our work together! #dreamteam

Interview with Luis Chaves and his Translators —The Culture Trip
—Summer 2017

Two Poems —Boston Review
—Spring 2017

Three Poems  —Public Pool
—Summer 2016

Two Poems —Springhouse
—Summer 2016

“In That Photo, Fix the Pit Stains on My Shirt” —Asymptote / The Guardian
—Winter 2016

“Snow / Electricity” —PEN Poetry Series
—Winter 2015

Three Poems and Translators’ Note —Circumference
—Fall 2015

“Equestrian Moments (A Litany)” —Poetry
—Fall 2015
We are absolutely honored to have won The John Frederick Nims Memorial Prize for Translation from The Poetry Foundation for this piece.