January 15, 2010 - Mihai Eminescu was born on Janaury 15, 1850 in Botosani county, Ipotesti village, Romania. He died on June, 1889 in Bucharest.
He was a great poet, novelist and journalist, considered to be the most important writter in the romantic literature, being named "the paragon of Romanian poetry".
Eminescu was an active figure in the literary society Junimea, worked as editor at the official newspaper of the Conservative Party and published his first poem at the age of 16 years. At the age of 19 he decided to go to study in Vienna.
All the 46 volumes written by Mihai Eminescu, approximately 14.000 pages, were donated after his death by Titu Maiorescu to the Romanian Academy, in the meeting from 25 january 1902.
Today we celebrate 160 years from his death and we remember him as the genius who left us an invaluable treasure of knowledge and unique masterpieces.
One Wish Alone Have I
One wish alone have I:
In some calm land
Beside the sea to die;
Upon its strand
That I forever sleep,
The forest near,
A heaven near,
Stretched over the peaceful deep.
No candles shine,
Nor tomb I need, instead
Let them for me a bed
Of twigs entwine.
That no one weeps my end,
Nor for me grieves,
But let the autumn lend
Tongues to the leaves,
When brooklet ripples fall
With murmuring sound,
And moon is found
Among the pine-trees tall,
While softly rings
The wind its trembling chime
And over me the lime
Its blossom flings.
As I will then no more
A wanderer be,
Let them with fondness store
My memory.
And Lucifer the while,
Above the pine.
Good comrade mine,
Will on me gently smile;
In mournful mood,
The sea sings sad refrain ...
And I be earth again
In solitude.
(Translated by Corneliu M. Popescu, RomanianVoice)
