Katharine F. Baker traduz o meu artigo
Um artigo meu, publicado a 26 de Setembro, chamou a atenção da amiga Katharine F. Baker, que me fez a gentileza de o traduzir para inglês. Vou transcrevê-lo na íntegra e agradeço muito todo o empenho e dedicação da amiga Kathie:
"Rosa Maria Silva, September 26, 2008: Books and more books...
Never have I seen myself surrounded by so many books as I’ve been since 2004. It’s the plain truth. Some taller and wider, others shorter and narrower and others of in-between dimensions, paperbacks easy to carry to the bedside table to read when it’s quiet, and to reread to my heart’s content.
Sooner or later I’ll have to get myself a beautiful, elegant shelf to do justice to these volumes deserving of the luxury.
Today I wish to speak not only of a luxurious book I brought home from the Angra do Heroísmo Public Library and Archives, but also of the presentation by its coordinator, Tony Goulart, who told us about the Azorean immigration to America and the Capelinhos volcano on Faial, and the volume commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Capelinhos volcano. The book is called Capelinhos – As Sinergias de um Vulcão: Emigração Açoriana para a América [“Capelinhos: A Volcano of Synergies: Azorean Emigration to America”] – a volume in Portuguese (lovely, lovely!) whose translation is accompanied by a DVD by António Furtado.
Three names appear on the cover’s inside flap:
- Capelinhos Photographs - Manuel Cristiano da Silva (born in Horta, resides in San Jose, California);
- Vulcão dos Capelinhos Color Video - António da Rosa Furtado (born in Horta, resides in San Jose, California);
- Project Coordinator - António Goulart (born on Pico, resides in San Jose, California).
It was my friend Kathie Baker who recommended that I go to the presentation of this work today, September 26, amid the company of library director Marcolino Candeias and other prominent individuals. It is much easier for me to introduce myself to them than for them to come to me, but at this type of event there’s always a delightfully warm atmosphere.
I don’t know if those present noticed that at a certain point I had to struggle to contain my tears. They were too insistent. By the end of the fine explanation and presentation by Tony Goulart, Vice President of Portuguese Heritage Publications of California, a wave of saudade for the islands of Pico and Faial overcame me that truly left me on the verge of becoming the center of attention.
To close his presentation, António Goulart read a poem about the emigration of a Terceiran woman from São Bento. That’s when the tears really began to fall. So now you all know how such things wreak havoc with my emotions.
Fortunately I arrived there in time to see the slide show that illustrated the historic words delivered.
Of course I haven’t read the book yet. Already I’ve looked it over and noticed the spectacular images, so now I close with just this:
Oh America, Oh America,
How you carve away the Saudade
For this Azorean ground
And how many emigrants continue
Weeping for those of tender age
Who set sail upon the ocean...
... And did not return to this land rich
In embraces and the other reality
That is the love found on the islands.
P.S. Dear Kathie, You should know that I adored meeting your friends. A special hug coming your way. Thank you for me giving me this opportunity. It was worthy of a full house..."
Tradução da autoria de Katharine F. Baker.
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