In front of my students, the community of this town, the representatives of Scotland and England, the ones of Malta (English speaking countries) who were present at the Fair of Languages, 2005,

 

(and very unwillingly)

 

I have to state that Rebecca Seiferle on her tour to Italy showed she is a serious and respectable person. She held her reading of one hour in front of 80 people who applauded her, on March, Friday 18, 2005. On Saturday 19 she did her workshop for 2 hours: "Writing with senses"; she asked me to stay in case there were problems with the language, a workshop I enjoyed very much. On Sunday we were invited by the Marquis Fumarolli to their estate in Veneto and Rebecca read in front of an audience of about 80-90 or more, and was warmly welcomed by all. We then stayed until late for the wonderful party with special food and Medieval music. We had previously been invited at lunch by the Bamber family in Rovereto, who opened their home to us, Andrew showed us his painting, Valentina sang for us, and little Daisy brought us flowers. 

 

Starting from Saturday night, Rebecca was invited to my place, having spent three nights at the Sheraton invited by the Fair, and with a return ticket on Tuesday morning back to the States. I carried out my usual activities, school and courses, while she was always here at the pc. On Tuesday morning at 5 am when I woke up, I found her here at the pc, she hadn't even slept, to continue her work. I called a taxi and she left.

 

I was sort of shocked by her seriousness. I do work a lot and on my trips to England and Ireland I always brought with me my pc and preferred to stay at home to translate instead of going to pubs. But I also walked in the new towns I visited and tried to discover as much as I could. While Rebecca practically spent all her free time writing, typing it back on the pc, and working and working.

 

I received as a present from Rebecca her book "Bitters" published by Copper Canyon Press. She wanted to offer me a meal at the Sheraton (euros 15; convened price), and I offered her a pasta in a small restaurant in Gries Square. I stuffed the fridge with some things to eat and that is what we had on Monday.

 

I didn't receive any money from the Fair or from my school. I was asked to suggest the name of a poet, I proposed Rebecca Seiferle and the organizing committee agreed on her.

 

As I said before, I feel I had to write this mail, and I am doing it very unwillingly.

So unwillingly that I feel disgusted.

 

My best regards,

Anny Ballardini

 

 

 

Anny Ballardini
http://annyballardini.blogspot.com 
http://www.fieralingue.it/modules.php?name=poetshome
The aim of the poet is to awaken emotions in the soul, not to gather admirers.
Stalker, Andrei Tarkovsky