Avondale PhD student’s poetry a hit at home
Bianca Reynaud
Public relations assistant
Avondale College of Higher Education
Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia
The quality of an Avondale PhD student’s poetry is likely to see it recognised as part of the canon of literature in Romania.
Avondale PhD student Daniel Ionita signs a copy of his new book at its launch in Sydney last night. Hanging Between the Stars features Daniel’s own poetry written in English and in Romanian and self-translated into both languages. Credit: Etienne Reynaud.
Daniel Ionita’s first publication, Testament, an anthology of translated Romanian poetry, has proved popular in Romania. His English translations of more than 50 of the country’s poets over a 120-year span of literature are being considered as Daniel’s entry to the influential Writers’ Union of Romania early next year.
His second publication, as well as works from three other prominent bilingual Romanian poets, launched at the State Library of New South Wales last night (March 18). Hanging Between the Stars, published by Minerva Publishing, features Daniel’s own poetry written in English and in Romanian and self-translated into both languages. It is divided into three parts; romance, the prominent; psychology; and spirituality.
Actor Clara Voda read Daniel’s poetry in front of an audience of about 80. “He’s got a lot of sensitivity and talent because he can put all these ingredients together,” she says. “I really love his work—he’s one of my favourites.”
Daniel’s research “fell naturally out of working on these two major pieces of work.” He talked with prospective supervisors at two universities but decided to complete his degree at Avondale. Senior lecturer in communication and English Dr Carolyn Rickett and vice-president (research) Professor Anthony Williams are Daniel’s supervisors. “I clicked with them,” says Daniel. “Avondale’s small enough to be personal. That’s the key to its success.”
Senior lecturer in history Associate Professor Daniel Reynaud, Daniel’s brother-in-law, played and sang Romanian folk songs at the launch.