New hand made Sea Urchin edition:
Bacovia & Stelaru – The Last Bone
George Bacovia (1881-1957) and Dimitrie Stelaru (1917-1971) represent two generations in the long line of Romanian Francophile Symbolists. Although both Bacovia and Stelaru took inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe and the French Symbolists and were also touched by early-Expressionism, the two countrymen were miles apart in upbringing, cultural background, character, lifestyle and reception of their work. Bacovia, frail and suffering from depressions, held various official positions and led an uneventful life with his wife Agatha Grigorescu, whereas vagabond and prankster Stelaru led a tumultuous and intoxicated wandering existence in the fringes of Romania’s society. Bacovia is nowadays honoured as one of Romania’s most important poets. His former home in Bucharest has been turned into a museum, various streets have been named after him, and his works have been widely translated. But Stelaru is a different story altogether. Although he is remembered in his native village Segarcea-Vale – mainly through the efforts of linguist Gheorghe Sarau – none of his poems had been translated until Sea Urchin started publishing them in English in 2019.
The Last Bone combines 5 poems by George Bacovia and 5 poems by Dimitrie Stelaru, all translated into English and printed on thin Japanese paper. Some are new English translations, some revisions of earlier Sea Urchin ones, and some very first translations. Finally Bacovia and Stelaru meet. Over a last bone. Edgar Allan Poe is smiling in the background. Order now →