"Manuscriptum" or a day with Popescu

(story to be published in tomorrow’s issue, March 21)

“Death is the only plan worth and allowed. Because it is the only one that will surely come true,” said poet Cristian Popescu knowing that he will be among the few to make this kind of plan before his time: he left this world in February 1996 when he was only 36. He left behind a genial leaflet called “Popescu Family,” two editorial issues: “Foreword” and “Popescu Art,” a lot of articles scattered through newspapers and a few laboratory-notebooks where ideas and metaphors were concocted for his future books. Among the famous notebooks is the one that the “Manuscriptum” magazine edited by the Romanian Literature Museum issued in no less than 457 pages. A few weeks ago our newspaper presented the project that became reality. The notebook was copied page by page and it was given to painter Laura Covaci who accepted last year to let the “Manuscriptum” magazine publish the notebook. It is an overwhelming document where life, art and death blend. The notebooks are in the opinion of critic Alexandru Condeescu “a perpetual journal waiting for the Apocalypse, that had already come for him.” Fugitive notes, naive drawings, geometrical constructions are present in the notebook that charms both the inner and the outer eye. To this particular notebook, another is added that makes us remember a few of the poet’s friends (Radu Sergiu Ruba, Catalin ?arlea, Cristian-Tudor Popescu, Dan-Silviu Boerescu) with a foreword by Alexandru Condeescu and review by Mircea Martin. The photographs were taken by Dora Stanescu when the book “Popescu Art” was launched in 1994 in the Universitate Plaza with the participation of actors from the Odeon Theatre. The release of this special issue of the “Manuscriptum” magazine will be marked at 17.00 at the Romanian Literature Museum through a special launch with the participation of old or newer friends of the late poet. The manifestation includes the Romanian contemporary poetry show “More beautiful by two thumbs than any woman,” directed and interpreted by actress Silvia Codreanu.