A couple of months ago I was approached by Canal Extremadura, the regional T.V. channel in this part of Spain, with a view to being featured in a new show called "Un lugar para quedarse". After some initial misgivings, I agreed, and it was broadcast last night.
The format entails telling three people's stries of how they ending up living in Extremadura, interweaving each narrative thread. I appear in three separate sections. Firstly, I'm shown in the vineyards around Almendralejo, talking in Spanish about my early life in the U.K. and my move to Spain, and reading a poem about it in English (01252 722698, from Inventing Truth). The second section, meanwhile, focuses on my working life at Viñaoliva, with interviews with me and footage of the winery. The final section concentrates on my current life in Almendralejo and my recent poetry, also including another poem in English (Extranjero, from Inventing Truth).
Here's the programme on the Extremaduran version of the i Player, where you can watch the whole thing or simply fast-forward to the three sections that feature my poetry and wine. It would be good to know what you think!
I don't understand a word of Spanish, but it seems fine to me, and can only further the cause of poetry. My claim to fame is that I was on Italia Uno's news, skiing for a few seconds without falling.
ReplyDeleteThere aren't many foreigners round here, so they tend to give me a call me from time to time...
DeleteSuch gorgeous photography -- and I loved the atmospheric guitar strings in the background. The film maker is fascinated by HANDS! But lovely. I don't understand Spanish either, but I did up phrases that made sense about, I think, influences of the region, and the worlds of London and poetry. A delight.
ReplyDeleteHands maybe give away as much as eyes...maybe there's a poem in there too!
DeleteSnow outside but on screen (thanks to you) olive trees, baked earth and a sense of deep warmth, along with a couple of good well-chosen poems. If that's your local park (my Spanish is minimal) you're lucky. A lovely programme.
ReplyDeleteHi Davina,
DeleteThanks for commenting. Yes, it is our lovely local park. No grass though - it's too expensive to keep up in the hot southern summers.
Dear Matthew
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! In my former life as an English teacher I spent over five years in Spain, mainly in Catalonia and Galicia. I became fluent in Spanish after six months whereas it took me forty years to learn how to speak French properly. My wife (who has Spanish ancestry) and I still miss Spain and may well return one day.
Best wishes from Simon R. Gladdish
I agree: Spanish is certainly easier once French is in the mental bank, Simon.
DeleteFantastic stuff, Matthew. I don't have much more than a few words of Spanish, but it was fascinating to see you talking with such obvious enthusiasm and relish, and to hear you reading some of your poetry in English.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of all attempts to bring poetry out of its own little world, so long as they don't sacrifice integrity or artistic value. This seems accessible and engaging. Congratulations.
Thanks, Ben! I was delighted that my poetry didn't lose out in the programme. Working in the wine world doesn't diminish my verse, quite the reverse.
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