Arthur Sze took an non-traditional path to becoming the U.S. Poet Laureate.

Born in 1950 to Chinese immigrants, his family wanted him to pursue a safe career path that would assure security and prosperity. But while studying at MIT, he felt the call to write and study poetry; a call that changed the trajectory of his life.

Sze spent his career translating traditional Chinese poetry. He also taught at the Institute of American Indian Arts in New Mexico and is now a professor emeritus of the institute.

Sze is currently traveling the country with his signature Poet Laureate project “Words Bridging Worlds,” a series of workshops and readings that celebrate poetry in translation.

He joins us for a conversation on poetry, the power of language and the art of translation.

Arthur Sze took an non-traditional path to becoming the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.loc.gov/programs/poetry-and-literature/poet-laureate/poets-laureate/item/n82011115/arthur-sze/">U.S. Poet Laureate.</a>
Born in 1950 to Chinese immigrants, his family wanted him to pursue a safe career path that would assure security and prosperity. But&nbsp;<a href="https://marshhawkpress.org/arthur-sze-interview-revealing-and-reveling-in-complexity/">while studying at MIT,</a>&nbsp;he felt the call to write and study poetry; a call that changed the trajectory of his life.
Sze spent his career translating traditional Chinese poetry. He also taught at the Institute of American Indian Arts in New Mexico and is now a professor emeritus of the institute.
Sze is currently traveling the country with his signature Poet Laureate project &ldquo;Words Bridging Worlds,&rdquo; a series of workshops and readings that celebrate poetry in translation.
He joins us for a conversation on poetry, the power of language and the art of translation.

Produced by Connecticut Public, 'Where We Live' puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Produced by Connecticut Public, '<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/about">Where We Live'</a> puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Where We Live is a call-in talk show about who we are in Connecticut and our place in the world.

Where We Live

Produced by Connecticut Public, '<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/about">Where We Live'</a> puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.