Poem relay — a fascinating and inspiring idea!

PEN International, "a worldwide association of writers with 145 centres in 104 countries...[that] exists to promote friendship and intellectual cooperation among writers everywhere, to fight for freedom of expression and represent the world conscience of literature" (quote from their main site), is running a project to promote awareness of what condition freedom of expression is in — specifically, in China.

Celebrating Linguistic Diversity and Carrying the Torch for Freedom of Expression in China
The poem 'June' by imprisoned Chinese poet and journalist Shi Tao is relaying around the world, country to country, language to language, until it reaches Beijing for the Olympics in August.

PEN Centres around the world have translated 'June' to over 60 (and counting) of the world's languages.

When the poem arrives at a new location, you can read and hear a new translation.

The PEN Poem Relay begins in Taiyuan, Shanxi, China, the poet Shi Tao’s hometown. On March 30, the poem arrives at Greek PEN Centre (at the same time the Olympic Torch arrives in Panathinaiko Stadium in Greece).

Here's the link to find out more: www.penpoemrelay.org. It's got a map of where the poem is, links to listen to it in the languages it's been translated into as it goes, background information on the poet and his situation, information on PEN International, ways to get involved, profiles of other writers in prison in China, and updates ("dispatches") on the project and related issues.

Go have a look!