The topic of the Hungarian programme at the Hungarian Cultural Centre in London will be revolutionary poetry. Timed for March 15th, the day the 1848 Hungarian Revolution broke out, it will focus on the events of 1848 and the young revolutionaries, but obviously with a slant on the tone and poetic creed (or absence of such) of the invited poets. The question will inevitably emerge whether it is possible to be a revolutionary poet, with due modifications, even today, or whether it is a role doomed to extinction. As part of the evening, a British PhD student and researcher of Hungarian literature, will read out an essay about 1848 which, written in a fresh and youthful tone, will serve to mediate between the two cultures. This will be followed by an introduction, a poetry reading and a discussion given by two Hungarian and two British poets: Tamás Jónás, István Kemény ( see picture), Fiona Sampson – editor of Poetry Review and former editor of Orient Express, a journal of contemporary writing from Enlargement Europe – and George Szirtes. The event will be hosted by Niccolo Milanese, co-founder and organizer of the Festival of Europe and director of European Alternatives. The poems translated for this event will be included in an anthology of contemporary poetry to be published in 2008-2009 and edited by George Szirtes. Talks about publication are underway with two British publishing houses. The story of the translations that will form the bulk of this volume goes back to 2004, when the British Council in Hungary initiated a programme called Converging Lines, with young Hungarian and British poets working together and translating each other’s poetry. The poets gave readings in Hungary and Britain, presenting each other’s works. Although the British Council ceased operating in Hungary, the Hungarian Cultural Centre in London has carried on with the project because they believed it was important to foster and support the relationships that had developed between the poets. In 2007 the Centre housed three poetry readings featuring some of the Hungarian poets involved in the project, after three British poets had been commissioned to make translations of their works. In February Clare Pollard and Anna Szabó T. gave a public discussion, in April Matthew Hollis introduced András Imreh and Mónika Mesterházi, while in June the invited guests were Anthony Dunn and László G. István. The Hungarian Cultural Centre in London has recently organised a presentation for György Dragomán’s novel The White King. In April this year Péter Zilahy’s book The Last Window Giraffe is to be presented by Fiona Sampson. Previously on HLO | 
