On 11 December, Instituto Cervantes New Delhi hosted a very special event to conclude its cultural program honoring the birth centenary of the renowned Spanish poet Ángel González (1925-2025). The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the new book, Escuchotusilencio (I listen to your silence), a significant publication by Instituto Cervantes, with design elegantly executed by The Design Village.
The book is a landmark collection, featuring a selection of González’s powerful poems. What makes this edition particularly noteworthy is its ambitious approach to translation: the poems have been rendered into English and, for the first time, into four major Indian languages: Bengali, Hindi, Marathi, and Urdu. This endeavour successfully bridges cultural and linguistic divides, offering the celebrated Spanish voice to a vastly expanded audience in India.
The evening commenced with an introduction by the director, María Gil Burman, who provided context on the importance of Ángel González’s work and the significance of the centenary celebration. She mentioned how the publication is “deeply moving” for its mission.
“In González’s case, “there has been nothing to bring back, because he has never been forgotten”. His work is cherished and read, even among younger generations. “His voice is essential” in the times we live in. González’s poetry is characterized by honesty, humanity, and intelligence. He addresses universal themes with a distinctive approach,” she added.
Followed by a captivating recital of the translated works, where the beauty and nuance of González’s poetry resonated in multiple Indian languages, the event culminated in an insightful conversation with the translators and the design team.
This segment allowed attendees to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of translating poetry across such diverse linguistic landscapes and the artistic vision behind the book’s physical presentation.
The launch of Escuchotusilencio not only marks a fitting close to the centenary celebrations but also serves as a vibrant testament to Instituto Cervantes’ commitment to fostering global literary exchange and bringing the richness of Spanish culture to India.
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