The Poetryzine Magazine presents the interview with the Italian author Michela Zanarella conducted by Ana Stjelja
Michela Zanarella
Your latest work, “Norii Insule,” explores themes of dream, memory, and nature. What inspired you to delve into these themes for this collection?
In reality the bilingual Italian/Romanian plaquette collects some poems taken from my collections “Recupero dell'essenziale” published with Interno Libri and from "L’eredità del bosco” published by Macabor, plus some unpublished ones. So the themes related to dreams, nature and memory are recurring in many of my collections. I often work on these topics, because they allow me to always discover something different and innovative. Poetry is a tool for exploration and research, it evolves over time and allows the poet to experiment without ever exhausting his creative intuition.
Could you tell us about your collaboration with translator Eliza Macadan for “Norii Insule”? How did the translation process contribute to the overall artistic vision of the project?
The collaboration with Eliza Macadan happened completely spontaneously. She contacted me for a translation of some of my texts from Italian into Romanian, I immediately felt in tune with her sensitive and professional way of acting. I entrusted her with my last two collections of poems released in Italy and she offered me a choice of the texts that had struck her most. We worked together trying to find a point of contact between my feelings and her gaze as a translator. Translating into another language is never easy, it is necessary to rely on competent people who know the language from which the translation starts. Eliza is a professional, I have never had any doubts about her work, immediately perceiving her care and love towards poetry.
With “Norii Insule,” you've combined poems from previous collections with new, unpublished works. How did you select which poems to include, and what was your goal in presenting this selection to your readers?
As I said in the previous question, the choice was made through an initial reading by Eliza, I approved the selected texts and I completely trusted them, knowing that trust is the first step in starting the translation work.
Your poetry has been translated into multiple languages. How does it feel to have your work resonate with readers across different cultures and languages?
Being translated into different languages is a great opportunity, it allows you to be read widely, beyond national borders. I consider myself very lucky, because I managed to publish my poetry collections in English, Romanian, Arabic and Spanish. I came in contact with so many people from all over the world, I couldn't wish for anything else.
As a journalist, author, and editor, how do you balance your various roles, and how does each inform your creative process?
It is not easy to balance the different roles, they all require commitment, study and passion. They are different types of writing, but sometimes have very similar characteristics. In every area we must try to be professional and competent.
Winning the “Vincenzo Pistocchi” national poetry prize in 2023 must have been a significant achievement. How did this recognition impact your approach to writing and publishing poetry?
Winning this prize allowed me to publish the collection of poems “L’eredità del bosco”, free publication was the prize offered by the publisher Bonifacio Vincenzi. I am very grateful to him, because it is no small thing to offer a publishing contract. I really appreciated the spirit of the award and the desire to recognize value in the writing of poets.
Could you share a bit about your experience co-authoring “The Girl from North Rome” with Federico Moccia? How did this collaboration come about, and what was it like working on a novel compared to your solo projects?
The collaboration with Federico Moccia was born from a contest with the SEM publishing house. Moccia had given his readers the opportunity to be part of his novel, by sending either stories or poems. The eight chosen and selected would become part of the book. I was among the eight authors and became a character in the novel through my poetry. It was a very special and beautiful experience that I remember with pleasure.
What advice would you give to aspiring poets and writers who are looking to establish themselves in the literary world?
I don't know if I'm able to give advice, I can only say to believe in themselves and to continue with courage and passion, whatever path they want to take. Writing requires consistency, it is not always easy, which is why it is necessary not to give up at the first obstacle.
Your collection “Meditations in the Feminine” was translated into English by Leanne Hoppe and published by Bordighera Press. How did it feel to have your work introduced to a new audience in the United States?
I never thought I could be published in a bilingual Italian/English edition in the United States with Bordighera Press, an established publishing company in New York. In the same series there are important names of Italian literature, Dacia Maraini, Paolo Ruffilli, etc. Reaching American readers was very important for me, because I realize that there is a different approach to poetry there. It is greeted with greater interest.
What can readers expect from your future projects? Are there any new themes or directions you're excited to explore in your upcoming work?
I will continue with publications in other languages, I am already working on a bilingual Italian/Spanish collection, thanks to the translations of Elisabetta Bagli, who already supported me with “La verdad a la luz” collection released in Colombia. I will try to find other original and stimulating ideas, poetry will always be part of my world, as long as I have the opportunity to express myself.
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