Patrizio Ceccagnoli will give a reading at The Raven Book Store in downtown Lawrence on April 28. Ceccagnoli, who has spent over a decade translating prominent North American poets like Anne Carson and Michael Ondaatje into Italian, also specializes in translating Italian poets into English. He views literary translation as crucial to his professional identity, describing himself as an ambassador for his language and culture, bridging the two literatures.
Read More
A dual citizen, Ceccagnoli translates both from Italian to English and vice versa, focusing particularly on poetry. He is an associate professor at the University of Kansas in the Department of French, Francophone & Italian Studies. His current project involves translating Milo De Angelis' work titled “Last Stops of the Night Journey.” During the reading, Ceccagnoli will be joined by local poet Megan Kaminski, a professor of environmental studies at KU.
Ceccagnoli emphasizes that he only translates authors he considers significant, expressing that his passion for literature drives his work. He finds fulfillment in literary translation, which he sees as existing between scholarly interpretation and creative writing. He collaborates closely with Susan Stewart, a longtime colleague, and MacArthur Foundation award recipient. Together, they previously translated De Angelis' “Theme of Farewell and After-Poems,” a book that established the poet's reputation among American readers.
Their translation process is extensive and collaborative. Ceccagnoli begins with a rough English translation of the Italian text, identifying cultural references and challenging passages. Stewart then reviews the draft, and they revise together until they reach a satisfactory version after multiple exchanges. They consulted directly with De Angelis on “Last Stops of the Night Journey,” making independent editorial decisions along the way.
Ceccagnoli acknowledges the important role of the publisher in the translation process, citing Jill Schoolman, the publisher of Archipelago Books, who provided valuable insights and edits. Like “Theme of Farewell and After-Poems,” the new volume combines two poetry collections: “Encounters and Ambushes,” originally published in Milan in 2015, and “Solid Line, Broken Line,” released in 2021. These collections reflect De Angelis' experiences teaching poetry in a high-security prison near Milan, as well as themes of loss and mortality.
Ceccagnoli notes that De Angelis' poetry is complex and requires careful reading. He describes the poet's work as 'orphic' or hermetic, reflecting a rigorous commitment to poetic traditions. He finds the collection very moving, suggesting that De Angelis, in his 70s, sees it as a series of farewell messages to those who influenced his life. According to Ceccagnoli, this gives the work a profound authenticity and emotional resonance.
While it does not attempt to answer life's ultimate questions, Ceccagnoli believes the collection offers a valuable portrayal of the poet's encounters, ensuring that their lives endure through his writing.