Previously
unknown in the U.K., Romanian novelist Mircea Cărtărescu made
appearances at Trinity College, Cambridge and the British Library in
London May 12 and 13. At Cambridge, Dr. Ian Fairley of the University
of Leeds discussed Romanian poetry and fiction. Actress Anamaria
Marinca read from Cărtărescu’s European best sellers, Nostalgia and Why
We Love Women.
A vigorous question and answer session followed the reading. Dr
Fairly is known for his translations from the work of Paul Celan.
Marinca, who lives in London, is known to the world as Otilia, “the
non-pregnant friend” in Cristian Mungiu’s film 4
Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days,
which won the Palme d’Or, 2007. The British Library program was the
London expression of Eunic’s World Literature Night, a literary
marathon involving literary programs in 12 European capitals. One of
six writers on the London panel moderated by Rosie Goldsmith (of the
BBC art / international team), Mr. Cărtărescu spoke about he
condition of writer in general and his own in particular. Anamaria
Marinca delighted the audience with Cărtărescu’s story, Irish
Cream.
All translations courtesy of Angela Jianu.
Mircea Cărtărescu
has won most of Romania’s literary awards. He has published 25
volumes and numerous articles. His books have been translated into 14
languages to international acclaim. He was a 1992 Médicis Award
nominee. He won the Italian Acerbi Award in 2005. He has given
readings in Sweden, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Poland.
His 2008 reading schedule included book fairs in Leipzig, Göteborg
and Turin. He currently teaches at the Faculty of Letters at the
University of Bucharest.
Eunic
is a partnership of national institutions for culture, engaged beyond
their national borders and operating with a degree of autonomy from
their governments.
For more details, go to
Details on http://www.icr-london.co.uk
| http://www.eunic-london.org
