Carmina in minima re
A Project of Cultural Resistance by Means of Poetry
A Project of Cultural Resistance by Means of Poetry
The
process of paralysis to which culture is forced in a number of countries as the
result of budget cuts ordered by governments produces lots of victims: more and
more bookshops have to shut down, many publishers have difficulties in
launching new books, as they can only afford to publish classical authors,
reprints or books recommended for schools; also, theatres and cinemas are being
shut down. Likewise, plastic and visual arts suffer because of budget cuts.
Culture seems to face a slow death, to which the ever lower purchasing power of
citizens contribute.
In view
of this grave situation, we the people who love culture and for years have
worked for spreading it cannot stay without doing anything. There is little use
of grumbling over the reality and manifesting against it. The political and
economic power is accustomed to turn a deaf ear to everything that is not
profitable or does not fit ideological or guild interests.
Conscious
of the above-said, I decided to take up
a project of realistic cultural
resistance, compatible with my resources and uniting the will of others: the launch of a collection of small
bilingual chapbooks of poetry which could contribute to the circulation of
poetry and, at the same time, to the creation of a tiny positive Babel by means
of linguistic exchange through translations to and from other languages, always
having present at least one of the languages of the Spanish state: poetry
should not have frontiers, either political or linguistic.
Each chapbook is made of 16 pages: this allows the inclusion of seven poems with their translations into another language.
Of these small chapbooks
few copies are printed, so that they would preserve their rarity and
sentimental value. The author receives 8 copies of it, while the rest
of the copies will be distributed among those who make a subscription of the
series, paying for it a modest symbolic sum.
In the present blog all
published chapbooks are reproduced, while gradually more are
added, for their spread over internet.
All
poets and poetry translators who are interested and accept the conditions
established by the coordinator are called to participate actively in the
project.
The participation in the
project has to be based on solidarity and sharing its aspirations. It will be always
submitted to an agreement with the coordinator who evaluates the proposals and
has the right to reject those proposals that he considers inadequate.
E-mail
contact address: carminaplaquettes@gmail.com.
Albert Lázaro-Tinaut
Coordinator
