Famagusta Regina: the miracle was in the dream

Famagusta Regina is the translated work of Cypriot poet Kyriakos Charalabides. The translator, Yiannis Milides, also a poet and author, spoke to SBS Greek about his journey into the works of the award-winning poet. Charalabides and Milides, refugees from the occupied territories of Cyprus, share traumatic experiences of the '74 invasion of their island. Famagusta remains uninhibited since 1974 and has become a symbol of hope for the Cypriot refugees.

(L-R) Poet Kyriakos Charalabides and Yiannis Milides, translator of Famagusta Regina Source: Famagusta News

IMITATION OF DEFEAT

I shut windows and doors

so that the city will not be dispersed into the yard.

And I collect her from under the bed,

from the closet, from behind the picture frames,

the steam cooker, the fly-leaves of books.

Oh, the books!11 It’s because of them that

there is decency and beauty in the world …

Those who disagree, can leave. Beware of the snow!

(...................)

I do not know if I am convincing; it seems the city

does not trust me of late.

I shall therefore open a book

to find conspiracies, powerful plots,

magical theories and analgesics.

Like the old philosopher12 I shall declare: “Nothing exists!

I have laid down my weapons at an auction

without pettiness and mysticism.”

Thus, spoke the old poet,

taking out his key of silence.

 

February 1980