Seagulls

Description:

A poem by Vincenzo Cardarelli published in a magazine in 1932 and later included in the collections Giorni in piena (1934) and Poesie (1942) translated into Greek by Agis Theros (Άγις Θέρος), the pen name of Spyros Theodoropoulos (Σπύρος Θεοδωρόπουλος, 1875–1961).

Vincenzo Cardarelli’s “Gabbiani” uses the metaphor of seagulls to reflect on the human condition, highlighting themes of restlessness, fleeting connections, and the tension between a longing for peace and the inevitability of turmoil. The seagulls’ perpetual flight symbolises a life of ceaseless wandering, where the poet, like the birds, brushes against life without fully immersing himself. The contrast between the love for the sea’s calm and the reality of “flashing amidst the storm” encapsulates the paradox of yearning for serenity while being destined for turbulence. Cardarelli’s use of free verse, rich maritime imagery, and existential undertones underscores the universality of the struggle to reconcile internal desires with external chaos, making the poem a poignant reflection on life’s fleeting and stormy nature.

About the poet:

Vincenzo Cardarelli (1887–1959)

Vincenzo Cardarelli, born Nazareno Caldarelli in Corneto Tarquinia (modern-day Tarquinia), Italy, on May 1, 1887, was a celebrated Italian poet, writer, and journalist. Born to an unmarried couple, he faced a difficult childhood marked by the absence of his mother, physical challenges, and solitude. Self-taught and determined, he fled to Rome at seventeen, where he began working various jobs, including as a proofreader for the socialist newspaper Avanti! and later as a journalist for publications like La Voce, Il Marzocco, and Il Resto del Carlino.

Cardarelli’s literary journey flourished with the publication of his first poetry collection, Prologhi, in 1916. He became a co-founder and editor of the influential literary magazine La Ronda in 1919, advocating for a return to classicism and order in literature. His poetic style combined free verse with introspective themes, often reflecting on nature, memory, and the existential struggles of life. His works include notable collections such as Favole e Memorie (1925), Il Sole a Picco (1929), and Villa Tarantola (1948), which won the prestigious Premio Strega.

Throughout his life, Cardarelli embraced a solitary existence, often compared to that of Giacomo Leopardi due to shared themes of melancholy and physical ailments. His influences included Baudelaire, Nietzsche, Leopardi, and Pascal, which informed his rational yet emotionally resonant poetic voice. Despite his association with fascist-era Italy, Cardarelli remained primarily focused on his literary pursuits rather than political activities.

Cardarelli passed away in Rome on June 18, 1959, in poverty and relative obscurity. He is buried in Tarquinia, facing the Etruscan Civita, a site he often evoked in his works as a symbol of resilience and moral guidance. Today, he is remembered as one of the significant voices of 20th-century Italian literature.

“Vincenzo Cardarelli.” Wikipedia. Last modified October 2, 2024. https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincenzo_Cardarelli.

About the translator:

Agis Theros, the pen name of Spyros Theodoropoulos, was a Greek poet, sociologist, and folklorist. Born in Sparta in 1875, he was deeply involved in journalism, publishing newspapers such as Laos, Lakedaimon, and Efimerida ton Ergatón (Workers’ Newspaper).

Theros’s profound love for Greek folk songs significantly influenced his work. His first book, published in 1909, was a collection of folk songs from the regions of Taygetus and Mani. A close collaborator of folklorist Nikolaos Politis, he was also a member of the Hellenic Folklore Society.

In addition to his literary pursuits, Theros was socially active. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Athens Labour Centre in 1910 and proposed Greece’s first labour legislation. He served as a Member of Parliament for various constituencies with the Venizelist Party between 1910 and 1923. In 1922, he was imprisoned for signing the Democratic Manifesto alongside other notable figures.

Theros published his first poetic work in 1940, celebrating Greek resistance during World War II and offering lyrical depictions of rural life. He also wrote prose and later released a definitive two-volume collection of Greek folk songs titled The Songs of the Greeks (1951–1952), which was awarded by the Academy of Athens.

From 1957 to 1959, Theros served as president of the Society of Greek Writers. He passed away in 1961, and his wife, Avra Theodoropoulou, followed in 1963. In his honour, an annual folklore award now bears the name Agis Theros.

“Άγις Θέρος.” Wikipedia. Accessed November 28, 2024. https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/Άγις_Θέρος.