Among the most innovative voices of European modernism,Paul Celan forged a new path for poetry in the 20th century, constantly “trying to save the German language after Auschwitz” (T. Adorno). How do we read him today?
Born into a German-speaking Jewish family in Romania, Celan died in France fifty years later, throwing himself into the Seine. His powerful work has inspired countless creatives across multiple mediums and generations, and this year we mark his 105th birth anniversary with a day-long programme at 1 Belgrave Square and Blyth Gallery.
We invite you all to the Romanian Cultural Institute for a series of inspiring lectures and a panel discussion on the intersection of poetry and art in the work of Celan and his partner, the French graphic artist Gisèle Lestrange! We will be joined by Romanian and British artists, writers and curators who will explore the creative couple’s collaborative endeavours, as well as their lasting influence on contemporary art. The symposium will be followed by a piano recital featuring London-based Romanian pianist Cristiana Achim, a musician of many talents whose very own compositions will be presented alongside an international repertoire.
See below for full schedule of the symposium and piano recital, both taking place at 1 Belgrave Square.
***The programme will conclude at Imperial College’s Blyth Gallery, with the Private View of theAtemkristall (Breathcrystal) exhibition. Starting 6:30pm. PleaseBOOK HERE for the Private View.
SCHEDULE
12.00 – 2.00 pm | Individual paper presentations:
Peter Harrap, British-Romanian artist & curator - Introduction toAtemkristall, a Visual Arts and Poetry Collaboration between Gisèle Lestrange and Paul Celan
Anna McNay, British writer & curator –Gisèle Lestrange: A Life and Love in Letters
Florin Ungureanu, Romanian-British curator & artist –Encountering Paul Celan in the Paintings of Anselm Kiefer
Andreea Scridon, Romanian-American author & translator –Ekphrasis Poetry and Translating the Self in Poetry
Marius von Brasch, German-British artist –Silence, Turn and Crystal: On Painting and Wordless Conversation
Bianca Boros, Romanian artist –Visual Meditations on Celan’s Poetry
Harriet Tarlo, British poet & artist –Cross Fertilisation: Poet Harriet Tarlo reads from her Collaborative Work with Artist Judith Tucker
2.00 pm | Coffee/tea break
2.30 – 3.30 pm | Panel discussion:Visual Poetics or Metaphorical Imagery?
Chaired by Anna McNay.
With British artists Susie Hamilton, Peter Harrap, Barbara Howey, Alex McIntyre, Fiona Robinson.
4.00 – 5.00 pm | Piano recital by Cristiana Achim
Cristiana Achim –Little Cloud Passing By
Maurice Ravel –Jeux d’eau
Enrique Granados –Goyescas: El Amor y la Muerte
Dinu Lipatti –Early Compositions Suite
Cristiana Achim –Song from Maramureș
George Enescu –The Romanian Rhapsody No. 1
PLEASE NOTE: On Thursday 20 March, events will start at the Romanian Cultural Institute, 1 Belgrave Square, London S1X8PH and continue at the Blyth Gallery, Level 5, Sherfield Building, Imperial College, London, SW7 2AZ.
Symposium: Romanian Cultural Institute, 12-3.30 pm
Piano recital: Romanian Cultural Institute, 4.00-5.00 pm
Private View: Blyth Gallery, 6.30-8.30 pm
The symposium is supported by the Warburg Institute, UCL London, and the ‘George Enescu’ National University of the Arts in Iași, Romania.
*Paul Celan was born in Czernowitz, Romania, now Ukraine, in 1920. Gisèle Lestrange was born in Paris, France, in 1927.
When: 20 March, 2025
Where: Romanian Cultural Institute, SW1X 8PH - 12:00 - 5 pm and Blyth Gallery 6:30-8:30 pm
