Twilight of Thoughts: Poetry and Graphics

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The book of poetry, which I have entitled: Twilight of Thoughts is a selection of Stefan Munteanus poetry of the exile. It contains, so far, 122 poems which I have translated into English. I also have 99 illustrations, part of the graphic art of Stefan Munteanu. I want to represent the artist from the point of view of two arts he practiced and expressed himself through. His poetry expresses his deep feelings for his wife, family, native culture, life with all its challenges (behind the iron curtain), the uprooting, a self-exile from the Communist regime he wanted to escape, the travel across the world to find the dreams of his youth (the American West), and the slow descent into his kind of inner withdrawal due to the difficulties he encountered in trying to grow new roots in Los Angeles, California. His artistic expression is unique, but his observations and feelings, though personal, speak to all. This collection of poems as well as his illustrations offer a special intellectual experience for both natives and immigrants in any part of the world. The book contributes to a better understanding of life on our planet where movement of people, coming together of cultures, values, ways of communication and essential contributions should never be ignored as they make the matter of our lives in a global world. Sensitivity to the beauty of life, the reflection of a meaningful passing through it, the making of dignified though painful decisions assist varied people in self-examination, in understanding and valuing each moment they have among fellow humans on earth, even if on such a journey some may pay the utmost price. The courage to say what you believe to be true, to allow your thoughts and actions to materialize in art that definitely enriches others lives is a gift that has to be shared. That is why I spent three years in conscientious efforts to render in English the uniqueness of Stefan Munteanus poetry. I am sure that people who understand that literature is not just a companion to our lives but a translator of our sometimes inexpressible feelings will be happy to have this book. I am sure the academic world anywhere will savor it, the laborer who crossed the world for a free and dignified life will recognize and relive his/her own experience with every line, or will understand what happened behind the iron curtain and thus feel happier that he/she did not have to pass through it. Understanding each other and making room for different forms of art and expression is our hope for a peaceful, cooperative, progressive and unified society of the future. I have big hopes for this book of translation, and look forward to making it the favored companion for many English readers. It is my joy to open this door of communication for the Anglophone speakers into the feelings and perceptions of a Romanian artist.

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About the author

Poet, painter, graphical artist, illustrator for anima film, editor, Stefan Munteanu was born on November 4, 1926 in Caracal, Romania. He passed away in Los Angeles on December 9, 1990. After finishing his academic studies in art and film, he worked at the Bucharest Studious, then at Animafilm enterprise as a director for anima films (1954-1972). During this period he participated with his own anima films at international competitions in Europe, where he received prizes in Italy, Venice 1962 and Bergamo 1966, in Poland, at Krakow in 1971. In 1972 he left Romania settling in Los Angeles California. Between 1976-1981 he edited the monthly Reviews of poetry MICRON in which he presented some of his own poems and graphics as well as of other Romanian poets living in diaspora, such as Stefan Baciu, Vintila Horia, Alexandru Lungu, Ioan Mirea, Teodor Scarlat, Horia Stamatu, etc. He also exhibited his paintings and graphic art on several occasions. His volumes of poetry “Violet Snows”, “ Mail Box “, ”Evening Vacation”, Stories in a Millimeter”, ”Sky in a Pocket”, “The Syntax of Air”, “The Poets Drink from Heavenly Waters” and “The Architecture of Memory” are few of his collections of poetry known to the Romanian readers. Stefan Munteanu presents within his poetry the lyricism of inner withdrawal, the vision of an exterior world reflected by his own sensibility, protected from the prying eyes of the consumer, hidden down in the inner chamber of a unique, almost ascetic, independent thinker.

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