I’ve been thinking about it for a long time
and it was rather questions than answers
that multiplied
Is home a place?
That straat and that numèro?
Or rather these people
who bath me in kisses and questions
as soon as I return do domu?
Is it perhaps a kind of landscape? Continue reading
(Versión original en español)
Jacobo fancied himself a radio drama actor. Stationed in the middle of the living room, he addressed everyone who passed by with lines that, in his not-so-humble opinion, best suited the situation or character. He had an entire repertoire memorised over years of living with the family, particularly the man of the house—Juan to his friends, “the master” to the maid and creditors—who was undoubtedly his favorite.
Due to his disability, caused by a serious accident long before Jacobo entered the household, Juan spent most of his time seated in a chair just inches from the perch where the aspiring actor held court. This proximity had undoubtedly made him not only Jacobo’s primary model to imitate but also led the bird to openly adopt his point of view. It could almost be said that Jacobo, with his bright green feathers and hooked beak, had become Juan’s alter ego, saying without hesitation what would have sounded offensive coming from the man himself. Continue reading
(Read the English version)
Jacobo se autopercibía actor de radio novelas. Instalado en medio del salón, apostrofaba a todos los que por ahí pasaban lanzándoles las frases que, en su no tan humilde opinión, se ajustaban mejor a la situación o al personaje. Tenía todo un repertorio que se había aprendido de memoria a lo largo de años de convivencia con la familia, en particular con el dueño de casa, Juan para los amigos, « el señor » para la sirvienta y los acreedores, que era sin duda su predilecto.
Debido a su discapacidad, consecuencia de un grave accidente sucedido mucho antes de que Jacobo llegara a la casa, Juan pasaba la mayor parte del tiempo sentado en un sillón a escasos centímetros de la percha donde se posaba el actor en devenir. Esta cercanía había sin duda contribuido a que fuera no sólo su principal modelo a imitar sino a que adoptara abiertamente su punto de vista. Casi habría podido decirse que Jacobo, con su plumaje verde brillante y su pico ganchudo, se había convertido en el alter ego de Juan porque decía sin tapujos lo que en boca del hombre habría resultado ofensivo. Continue reading
Daniel vit à Bruxelles au numéro 86 de l’avenue Franklin Roosevelt.
A cette adresse se dresse un splendide hôtel particulier que l’on appelle la “Maison Delune”.
Daniel connaît par cœur le jardin qui entoure la Maison ; c’est d’ailleurs dans ce jardin qu’il est né. Il n’est par contre jamais entré dans la Maison mais, étant donné qu’il est un renard roux de 2 ans, c’est assez logique.
Continue reading
Image courtesy of Edinburgh Europa Institute
From the outset, Papotis had struck George as a very singular chap. And George came to have plenty of reason for believing his first impressions.
George felt he knew Greek people well: he’d had several close acquaintances with Greeks at Cambridge. He admired their open-hearted and earnest attitude and had even visited his friend Ioannis in Thessaloniki in the summer of 1978 on an Inter-rail trip round Europe.
But Papotis was different.
Arrogant. Outspoken. And downright rude.
The first time George saw Papotis at work was in a technical working group on the colour scheme of the Euro notes, which Papotis had been allowed to chair. His head of department reckoned the discussion would take months, if not years, and that, anyway, the Directors of the National Banks would weigh in at the end to make the final decision.
Papotis had met George by chance one day in the cafeteria and had let drop – George would later come to realise that, in fact, he had boasted – that he was chairing a technical meeting the following week.
“Would you like to come along to my technical group?”, Papotis had asked, with an air of superiority.
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