iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 16h

Looking on tripadvisor for that Parisian square where Madame Lamort weaves her winter bonnets of fate from the restless paths of the earth

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Pasiphae dandling the young minotaur (from a cup found at Vulci in Italy, dated 375-350 AD)

Red figures on black background. Pasiphae sits slightly side on with a young child on her lap. The child has the head of a bull. At her feet a swan and on the wall by her a basket hanging from a hook.

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Words Without Borders & WWB Campus @wwborders.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Author Maria Stepanova and translator Sasha Dugdale discuss THE DISAPPEARING ACT, longlisted for the 2026 National Book Award for Translated Literature. Read the next interview in our 2026 National Book Awards series at the link: wordswithoutborders.org/read/article...

wordswithoutborders.org

The National Book Award Interviews: Maria Stepanova and Sasha Dugdale - Words Without Borders

Author Maria Stepanova and translator Sasha Dugdale discuss The Disappearing Act, longlisted for the 2026 National Book Award for Translated Literature.

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

‘Witness’ from Anthony Caro’s antiwar Kenwood Series (2003-2004) at Templon Gallery.

Anthony Caro
Witness (The Kenwood Series), 2003 - 2004 depicts a very large human form, very rough and primitive. It has child like qualities and proportions despite its hugeness, and seems to be hiding its face behind its hands although it is an approximate and almost abstract form of figuration. It stands behind several l-shaped pieces of steel that resemble a tumbledown picket fence.

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

This is a marvellous book by Egana Djabbarova. ‘My Dreadful Body’ is the memoir of growing up Azerbaijani in Russia – told through chapters focussed on parts of the body. It’s translated by @lizoksbooks.bsky.social and published in UK by Linden Eds. Funny, human and engaging, but also devastating.

Front cover of My Dreadful Body by Egana Djabbarova translated by Lisa C. Hayden: pink frame with an abstract shape of pink and some green connected splodges of paint: perhaps a fruit resembling a hand with fingers

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Words Without Borders & WWB Campus @wwborders.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Maria Stepanova and @sashadugdale.bsky.social on THE DISAPPEARING ACT, longlisted for the 2026 National Book Award for Translated Literature. Read about their “ongoing conversation” in translating the novel, its echo of Leonora Carrington paintings, and more: wordswithoutborders.org/read/article...

At the top, “Words Without Borders” in white text and “77th National Book Awards” in red text over black textured background. On the right side, images of the book cover of THE DISAPPEARING ACT, author Maria Stepanova and translator Sasha Dugdale. Blue and white text on the left reads: “National Book Awards Interview: Maria Stepanova and Sasha Dugdale on THE DISAPPEARING ACT.” White text on the bottom left reads: “But it was simply a canceled train and a long afternoon in an unknown city that made me wonder if I could stay there forever. After that, I didn't even notice how I started writing; it was like putting down a dream, trying to do it while the memory still lingers.”

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

After Rilke’s sudden death at the end of 1926, Russian poet Marina Tsvetaeva wrote two works addressed to Rilke that sit among the great European modernist poems. You can read my translations of them and a creative essay in Tsvetaeva ‘27 @pavilionpoetry.bsky.social

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Pavilion Poetry @pavilionpoetry.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

This #NationalPoetryDay, we're thrilled to announce our 2027 collections. Martha Sprackland's Question to the Creatures Sasha Dugdale's Tsvetaeva '27 Jemma Borg's Before & After the Night The collections publish in spring and are now available to preorder on our website: bit.ly/pavilionpoetry

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Such joyful observation of life in Daphne Astor’s posthumous ’Honour’ published by Hazel Press.

Part 3 of a poem called ‘Late July’ reads
The black pug sleeps
like the shaman
after a long flight.
He ignores the column
of red ants walking
around and around
his curly tail.

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Beautiful piece on poet Jack Mapanje and finding a way back into writing by @shashtrevett.bsky.social

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Very sad to hear this. I admired her poetry and her criticism.

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

They have cleaned the walls of ferns at Darlington Hbf. At least this patch remains.

A red brick wall with a support column of bricks covered in tiny new fern growth

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

In 1926 Marina Tsvetaeva wrote on a questionnaire sent to her by Pasternak that “Ne daigne“ was her heraldic motto.

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Fitzcarraldo Editions @fitzcarraldoeds.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Francisco Garcia interviews Javier Cercas about ANATOMY OF A MOMENT, publishing 27 August. 🤍 'A strange, often propulsive book that resists easy categorisation.... Cercas, a sly, just about omniscient narrator, hovers above the fray, qualifying and contextualising at regular intervals.'

observer.co.uk

Javier Cercas: ‘The only rule is that there are no rules’

The Spanish author defied literary convention with his acclaimed book Anatomy of a Moment, which revisits the failed military coup that rocked his country 45 years ago

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Martin Koerner @koernputer.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

This book is absolutely miraculous. Delighted to say we have an event at Foyles on the 13th August with @amykey.bsky.social @regretteruane.bsky.social Alice Vincent and Megan Hunter- also 🤞🏼, we shall be recieving a phone call from Joan Barfoot during the event! www.foyles.co.uk/events/unear...

foyles.co.uk

Unearthing a Classic: The Rediscovery of Gaining Ground

Alice Vincent, Amy Key, Megan Hunter and Rose Ruane explore the rediscovery of 'Gaining Ground' half a century after its initial release

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Pleased to see the outstanding Phoebe Giannisi GOATSONG tr by Brian Sneedon reviewed. She is a force of nature 🐐 and one of my beloved poets.

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Sardonicus @sardonicus.eu · 09/08/2026

Horace the Irish hare and Cecil S. Webb, director of the Dublin Zoo Carl Mydans, 1956

a hare stood on its hind legs as a man feeds it

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Keen to read all of these but especially Anatomy of a Moment about the attempted Spanish coup of 1981, which coincided with my family arriving in Madrid on the night train. February, no lights, my 7th birthday, two baby sisters running down the corridors of the train @fitzcarraldoeds.bsky.social

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The Art Newspaper @theartnewspaper.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

The trailblazing Los Angeles artist Betye Saar died on Sunday (26 July), aged 99, just days before her centenary. She was best known for her sculptural assemblages that explored spirituality and mysticism, African American heritage and the Black female experience. buff.ly/pXK4Wou

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Fleur Jaeggy’s Die Letzten Tage von Ingeborg (Last Days of Ingeborg) tr. into German by Barbara Schaden is a slim and shocking account of Bachmann’s death. Typical Jaeggy restraint and precision. @suhrkamp.de will there be an English version soon?

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

‘There I was, standing in the middle of the Sistine Chapel, looking up towards the Creation of Adam, when I suddenly strained my back.’ From an essay ‘Three Nights in Rome‘ by Stav Poleg, currently free to read @pnreview.bsky.social www.pnreview.co.uk/archive/thre...

pnreview.co.uk

PN Review Print and Online Poetry Magazine - Three Nights in Rome - Stav Poleg - PN Review 290

One of the outstanding poetry journals of our time.

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

it was things it was things in tears it was things in tears it was tears themselves it was fear of the tears in things for the things in tears ah well ‘Smile’ Anne Carson @lrb.co.uk www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...

lrb.co.uk

Anne Carson · Poem: ‘Smile’

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Miranda Green @greenmirandahere.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

For the FT @hetanshah.bsky.social says what's happening to the humanities in our universities amounts to a tragedy - and it's very short sighted to let this happen www.ft.com/content/fbde...

ft.com

We need humanities more than ever in the age of AI

Subjects like literature, languages and history are vital to a thoughtful and prosperous society

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

As Britain’s first ‘openly Catholic’ Prime Minister Burnham can finally get the Downing Street toaster out of the cupboard.

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

really interesting piece: it relates (amongst much else) how the artist Pearl Binder, member of AIA (Artists International Association) helped found Puffin Books by showing Penguin editor Noel Carrington her collection of Soviet children's books.

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Clara Elena García, Author 🇵🇾 @claraelenadice.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

The Strongbox by @sashadugdale.bsky.social explores Homeric themes of war, abduction and identity through interconnected scenes featuring both ancient and modern characters like Helen of Sparta and an unnamed girl in a warzone. The book examines how stories shape our perception of modern conflicts.

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Many thanks to @claraelenadice.bsky.social for beginning what could be a thread of other work relating to this lesser known archaic epic about a few complicated women #Odyssey

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

‘Pitysad’ is from ‘Deformations’ a book about The Odyssey, PTSD, war and abuse @carcanet.bsky.social (it’s featured in Henry Power’s excellent Homer Haunted) @bloomscontinuum.bsky.social

Poem title ‘Pitysad’
I entered a city at night, Penelope
I couldn’t tell whether it was half-built or half-destroyed
I ordered you killed, Penelope
as I felt your hips in my hands
your head under mine
as I stroked your hair
and wondered if you were still alive
I moved through the streets and they were silent
but I kicked down doors
I crouched in stairwells
and I saw you emerge
from blasted places
holding up my old coat
and looking for me
It was a cloudless night
and the stars were tiny holes
in the sky’s blackout
beyond that dark fabric
there’s a lit room
brightly lit
and although I can’t dance, Penelope
we were dancing
I burst into a room
a few women huddled
clutching pomegranates
I thought they were bombs, Penelope
I swear
I thought they were
bombs

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

A critic wrote in the Times of Goblin Market that ‘Miss Rossetti can point to work which could not easily be mended’ and this was her ensuing rage – as sketched by Dante Gabriel.

Sketch of crazy woman in kitchen smashing up furniture and holding g a hammer aloft

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

till you fall into so heavy a sleep — sleep made of asterisks and cattle, the herd just a black scarf Looking up Homeric poems I came across this by @pacificraft.bsky.social to me it has the same elemental feel as some of Mandelstam‘s lyric: www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazi...

poetryfoundation.org

Homeric

Cold cry from the last page of the dictionary, name with a knife in it, and the knife italic against the throat till you fall into so heavy a sleep —…

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

This book is waiting for me at home and I can’t wait to read it all. The excerpts have been intriguing and beautifully translated by @lizoksbooks.bsky.social and I really enjoy Djabbarova’s prose.

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

This week you can hear readings of translated plays at the Clapham Omnibus Theatre as part of Out Of The Wings Festival 2026. Follow link for info. www.omnibus-clapham.org/whatson/out-...

omnibus-clapham.org

OUT OF THE WINGS FESTIVAL 2026 | Omnibus Theatre

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Watching the international space station move determinedly through the blue like a bright ant on a mission

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

The colours on these covers are just incredible. I don't think I've ever seen such painstaking and beautiful work – and I imagine the same goes for the text soon to be enfolded in them.

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Rachel Mann @revrachelmann.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

A meditation from me on Bonhoeffer and impending retirement…

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Am I the only one who has to look up a flight number in a poem? This is the daily flight from LHR to SAN, peopled with birds and ghosts. from Michael Schmidt’s poignant new Smith | Doorstop pamphlet @carcanet.bsky.social

BA 0265 (poem
Title)
... the birds not perched but seated properly in rows as if with
opera glasses to follow the red sun down.
I miss you. The birds do. 'Shadows lengthen' and it's night for good for you. I'm confident it's not very dark wherever you have gone.
There are no flames, either. Hell's no destination.
Maybe still audible the waves chewing the rocks below your house or there's unhallowed harmony, or a low voice reading into your blindness another history audiobook.
Id like to share with you the names of some places I flew over to be here:
Medicine Hat, Gimly, Flin Flon, Pukatawagan, Red Sucker Lake, Pikangikum, Assinibole, Nipawin,
treeless Plentywood, with the ghosts of forests teeming with the ghosts of extinguished birds, and Carrot River dry as a skeleton.
It's a sort of history that bears me back to you.
Another time I'll tell you, when you're listening.

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Georgina Nugent @georginanugent.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Tomorrow night! @leeannequinn.bsky.social's Landscape with Question @carcanet.bsky.social launched by @sashadugdale.bsky.social. Aka, two divas coming together to maximise their joint slay x

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Thinking about war and pastoral in July – a while ago I wrote a response to ‘As the Team’s Head-Brass’ by Edward Thomas. It is based on an encounter I had as I walked the Ridgeway one summer: www.bathmagg.com/sashadugdale/

bathmagg.com

Sasha Dugdale — bath magg

Sasha Dugdale - Hedgecutter

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Irish Literary Times @irishlittimes.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Poem of the Week: When you read this A new work by Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

The stench of fumes. Four weeks Dry peat has burnt on the mires Today even the birds are still And the quivering aspen is quiet. I went back to this radio essay on Alhamatova’s ‘July 1914’ whilst preparing for Ledbury Poetry Festival: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

bbc.co.uk

The Essay - Minds at War: Series 2 - Akhmatova's July 1914 - BBC Sounds

Sasha Dugdale explores the impact of World War I on the great Russian poet Anna Akhmatova.

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Sasha Dugdale @sashadugdale.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

How I travelled to Ledbury Festival to talk about Anna Akhmatova. The poetry of Akhmatova and a white van of lurchers are two concepts that have never before co-existed in a text.

A white dog and a brown dog in the boot of a van on dog beds. The white dog like the princess at the pea has a whole stack of beds

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