Translators Paula and Cyrus Console-Șoican Discuss Radu Vancu’s The Rope in Bloom

Paula and Cyrus, who met in 2008 at the English Department at Kansas University, expressed their enthusiasm for translating Vancu’s work due to his prominence in the Romanian poetry scene. As a public intellectual, editor, and organizer of the Poets In Transylvania festival, Vancu’s poetry encompasses broader social and familial themes, making engagement with his work feel like integration into the vibrant community surrounding Romanian poetry.

The Rope In Bloom stands out to the translators for its exploration of profound themes such as love, addiction, and existential loss. The poem narrates the generational divide in a family coping with loss while welcoming new life. As they translated, Paula and Cyrus felt a personal connection, reflecting their experiences as young parents themselves, resonating with the poem’s blend of tenderness and dread.

They noted that their translation journey coincided with dramatic geopolitical changes. Vancu's personal experiences, particularly the tragic discovery of his father’s death, alongside the larger context of global strife and environmental crisis, imbued the translation with deeper significance.

While discussing the relevance of literary translation today, the couple acknowledged the impact of AI on the field, suggesting a shift in the literary value system. They emphasized their commitment to traditional translation methods, expressing concern that AI could shift the perception of “handmade” poetry and its cultural significance. They believe that literary translation serves as a vital connection between individual human experiences and broader cultural dialogues.

Their translation process involves a collaborative effort where Paula initially creates a detailed literal translation, which Cyrus then refines into poetic form. This lengthy and often contentious process takes place in cafés, where they engage in deep discussions about how to capture the essence of the original Romanian verses in English.

Among the surprises they experienced during translation was the regional variation in language, such as Vancu's use of mămăruță instead of the more common buburuză for a ladybird beetle.

Paula and Cyrus hope to position their work within a broader community of Romanian-English translators and have cited several peers whose work they admire. They find inspiration from various sources that expand their understanding of what literary translation can achieve.

Paula Console-Șoican is a lecturer at the University of Kansas and co-translator of other significant poetry. Cyrus Console-Șoican teaches at the Kansas City Art Institute and has published multiple poetry collections.

Radu Vancu is a distinguished poet and professor at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, known for his contributions to contemporary Romanian literature and translation.