On June 11, the
Romanian Institute for Cultural and Humanistic Research (which is
located in Venice) launched a blockbuster bilingual anthology of
writing by Gellu Naum, La quinta essenza / The Fifth Essence
(Treviso: Editing Edizioni, 2006). The book includes a broad
chronology of the great surrealist writer’s work and an
introductory essay, both by the Romanian Italianist and critic Geo
Vasile. Monica Joiţa, director of ICR Venice, Prof. Silvana Tamiozzo
from Ca’ Foscari University and critic Nicola Cecconi spoke at the
launch. Vasile was awarded the Medal of Venice next day at Venice’s
City Hall. The award recognized Vasile’s contribution to
Romanian-Italian cultural relations. While in Italy, Vasile met with
Paolo Ruffilli, who officially presented him with the Italian-Spanish
version of his recent Montale Prize-winning Diario
di Normandia (Mexico City: Ediciones El
Tucán de Virginia, 2008).
