In
this issue of the Neuroendocrinology Letters we are publishing
poetry by two outstanding personalities of very different
professional background, but of some common denominators –
both of Czechoslovakian origin, both with diplomatic career
with significant cultural impact on European spiritual tradition
and continuity.
Milan
Richter, native of Bratislava, now the capital of the
Slovak Republic, is Doctor in Literature, writer and translator,
Chairman of the Slovak Literary Translator's Society and Vice-President
of the Slovak PEN Centre. He has published seven volumes of
poetry in Slovak and has translated 53 books and theatre plays
from English, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish and Spanish.
In years 1977 to 1986, for political reasons, he was forbidden
to publish his own books of poetry. Milan Richter was awarded
the Swedish Academy Translation Prize in 1999. He also was
awarded other prizes in connection with the promotion of Swedish
Literature, numerous translation awards in Slovakia, the Austrian
Ministry of Education and Arts' Translation Award, and others.
In 1992 Milan Richer became counselor at the Czechoslovak
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and from 1993 to 1995 he served
as Slovakia's Chargé d'Affaires in Norway. Since 1996
he serves as Chief Editor of the Slovak Literary Review.
In this issue we present two of his poems, one in English
and one in French language.
Marek
Toman, native of Prague, studied philosophy at the Faculty
of Arts of the Charles University in Prague. Since his graduation,
he has been working in the Czech State Radio as editor of
literary programs. Marek Toman joined foreign service and
is currently appointed to the Czech Embassy in Tallinn, Estonia
as Consul and Commercial Counsellor and is engaged in promotion
of culture as well. Marek Toman is author of several books
of poetry, translations, newspaper articles and radio programs.
The poems presented in this issue of the NEL have not yet
been published elsewhere. NEL is to be the first to publish
these poems by Toman.
I
would like to take this opportunity and again encourage our
authors, readers and friends to send me (art.director@nel.edu)
your artistic work i.e. paintings, photographs, poetry, belles-lettres
etc. for consideration for publication in the NEL.
Art & Advertising Director
Director of the Editorial Office
Neuroendocrinology Letters
