Secret forest: October 2010

>> Saturday, 30 October 2010

>> Tuesday, 26 October 2010

Ready for a chilling literary post?

From an idea about this photo taken at Paris subway in 1979 by Peter Turnley, seven Valencian writers, grouped under the name Unai Siset, faced the challenge of writing a book together.

The idea was that each writer would choose one of these disturbing, mad faced characters and write their possible story. The reasons were various, but mostly have fun, and the will to collaborate together because they admire each other. Plus, it's a good way to avoid the isolation that often exists between writers... as it exists between the people on the photo. What I like the most is that the authors don't sign their respective stories. The whole thing is mysterious and playful.

Would you like to know something about, for instance, the man standing up on the left with the briefcase, Henri?

The world is full of mob. Since long ago, I am an important man. Very important. In fact, I've been all my life. I'm not in vain Giscard d'Estaing and Sauvage de Brantes. A primary caregiver as to the manner born. In addition, on my own merits, my social and economic position has not stopped to take off. And the more distance between me and the ordinary people, the more I realize that the world is full of mob. — UNAI SISET (COLLECTIVE AUTHOR)

Ugh!

Subsòl (Subway) has been published on October 2010 and is only available in Catalan.

Fallen

>> Thursday, 21 October 2010

I wanted to make a post dedicated to the Fall. In the end, I picked some of the latest photos I took while on holiday this Summer. Instead of fallen leaves, I'm posting fallen trees. I always exaggerate a bit too much. :)

Anti-Halloween

>> Saturday, 16 October 2010

If you plan to celebrate Halloween abroad, I recommend you not to come to Catalonia because you'll surely find Catalan people there, and they will try to make you celebrate Halloween their way. If you insist on coming anyway, please consider this short tutorial on What To Do If One Wants To Celebrate Halloween In Catalonia.

First thing: it's not named Halloween, but Castanyada. Pronounce it as you wish; you will melt any Catalan heart just by making the effort of pronouncing it.

Second thing: there are no pumpkins, no tricks or treats, no costumes. Instead, you'll have to eat. Eat this:

PANELLETS. Translation: little breads. Small round pastries made of marzipan, almonds, sugar, and usually pine nuts. Delicious and pasty. No problem.

Chestnuts. CASTANYES (hence the term Castanyada). Roasted in holed pan. Eat them and say you want more.

MONIATOS. Sweet potatoes. You may find comprehension if you refuse to eat them. Don't try your luck.

The aim of the Festival of Chestnuts, as you can see, is that your mouth gets full of a dense paste as similar as possible to cement.

At this point you will be asked to sing along with everyone else the only song known to be sung during the Castanyada, which title can be translated as "Little Meow is roasting chestnuts".

MOSCATELL. Sweet wine. Uncannily sweet, more than everything you have in your mouth. It doesn't matter, it will help you to swallow and sing. But you'll need several drinks. You'll find nothing more to drink. Drunkenness is guaranteed.

After that is when your cheerful Catalan companions will be delighted to celebrate anything you propose. Take advantage of it. Say the word Halloween and enjoy your traditions with them. :)

It's Done!

>> Tuesday, 12 October 2010

What's done, you may wonder. Why, my novella!

It's good news for you. I won't annoy you any more with my doubts about this book! And, the best thing is, it is written in Catalan and you won't be forced to read it.

Before you start thinking I'm too adorable, I have to admit that I still have some doubts. For instance: What now? I'm a newbie. I don't have the slightest idea of what to do with it. Should I tell my boss? (I work in a publishing house)... There are a plethora of literary contests in my language... I don't know.

Really, why hesitant guys such as me should spend their time to undertake a project? I don't even know how to entitle it. I've thought of Instead of Joaquim, Joaquim's Room, The Room of the Hands, The Hands, The Room... I'm hopeless.

But overall, I feel great. Besides, I have a day off today. I'll be editing the last words while dancing this song, which I "lovingly" dedicate to my novella :D

The Award

>> Thursday, 7 October 2010

If you're planning to read a book by the brand new Nobel price in literature Mario Vargas Llosa, I strongly recommend you any of his earliest works. My favourite is La casa verde (The Green House, 1965). It's not an easy novel to get into (the story begins with some nuns and soldiers crossing a jungle), but sooner or later it catches you and doesn't let you go.

Now let me introduce you to Mario Vargas Llosa's literary agent. She's the Catalan Carme Balcells, 80 years old. She discovered him, back in the sixties, and enabled him to be the full-time writer he always wanted to be.

Vargas Llosa and other writers of the so called Latin American Boom, such as Gabriel García Márquez, owe their international success in large part to this woman and the publishing industry in Barcelona. From here, their books could reach the worldwide audience they deserved. There are happy faces today in Barcelona (and in Peru, I suppose).

Close-Up (August 2010)

>> Wednesday, 6 October 2010

Visit more Wordless Wednesdays participants.

The Sun May Come Out Any Night

>> Sunday, 3 October 2010

"Qualsevol nit pot sortir el sol" is one of the most beloved songs in Catalonia, written and first recorded in 1975 by Jaume Sisa. He's not precisely a formal singer, he rather recites the lyrics (and it's better this way), but he became famous at my home with this sole work, which is a kind of anthem to peaceful coexistence of all people, no matter how different we all are. The song video below was made by an amateur fan — here's the link to him in MySpace — and when I first saw it I wanted to share it at once.

The song tells a simple story: there's a party where all fairytale and comic characters have been invited, and the singer speaks their names as they enter. Some of these characters are well known, although many are called by their Catalan name (for instance, while Snoopy remains Snoopy, the bird Woodstock is renamed as... Secretari Emili). The whole thing may seem naive, but with this song Jaume Sisa managed to popularize in my land this refrain: "Welcome, please do come in, we'll turn sadness into smoke, my home is your home if homes can be said to belong to anybody". I hope you like it.

Qualsevol nit pot sortir el sol
The Sun May Come Out Any Night

Fa una nit clara i tranquil·la, / The night is clear and calm,
hi ha la lluna que fa llum, / the moon shines,
els convidats van arribant / the guests are arriving
i van omplint tota la casa / and fill the whole house
de colors i de perfums. / of colors and scents.

(introducing some characters)

Oh, benvinguts, passeu passeu, / Welcome, please do come in,
de les tristors en farem fum, / we'll turn sadness into smoke,
a casa meva és casa vostra / my home is your home
si és que hi ha cases d'algú. / if homes can be said to belong to
[anybody.
(introducing a lot of characters)

Oh, benvinguts, passeu passeu, / Welcome, please do come in,
ara ja no falta ningú, / everyone has already come,
o potser sí, ja me n'adono / although now I realize
que tan sols hi faltes tu. / that only you are missing.
També pots venir si vols, / You can come too if you want,
t'esperem, hi ha lloc per tots. / we're waiting for you, there's
[room for all.
El temps no compta, ni l'espai, / Time doesn't matter, nor space,
qualsevol nit pot sortir el sol. / the sun may come out any night.