Diana Anphimiadi on being a translated poet.
By: Diana Anphimiadi,
Interesting things had begun before I went this wonderful poetry tour; choosing the poems, translators, understanding the details, frequently communicating with the translators regarding various translation details. During this process, you have an opportunity to look objectively and laterally at yourself, as a poet, to discover what kind of author you are, what you are missing, what you were able to do and not able to do.
However, when Salome and I went up the aeroplane stairs, I realised that something in and significant was happening to me.
I wish all authors had such translators as my poetry has had – Natalia and Jean are the best. A very special approach to each word, a deep understanding and knowledge of the poems. At such moments, you become a reader yourself and look at your own poetry with a different eye; this is a marvellous experience.
If we should also mention the excellent organisers and hosts, who did their job scrupulously, a full picture of our wonderful literary tour can be drawn.
Meeting with readers is always a very special responsibility especially when you are in a completely different linguistic reality and introduce your own poetry to an alternative language reader. The most important aspect of the poem, the language’s musicality transposes into a different language, the ornaments don’t protect you anymore, that’s why the most important is what is translated. Travelling in a different linguistic reality is like some kind of parallel reality, where another Diana Anphimiadi lives, writes and tells her readers about the most personal things. That’s why the poetry tour of the Poetry Translation Centre was a tour not only in a foreign country but a journey in another reality. All these aspects made for an experience of incredible proportions.
Moreover, it is a huge responsibility and happiness to let people in a different country listen to the music of the Georgian language.