Shakespeare's 'Dream' revisited in Basque
Uda-gau bateko ametsa (A Midsummer Night's Dream)
William Shakespeare
Image: Maitane Gartziandia
In 2016, coinciding with the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death, the Cristina Enea Park, one of the most fantastic spots in San Sebastian, hosted open air performances of the English writer's most magical work: A Midsummer Night's Dream. Due to the European dimension of the work and the popularity of the text, this was one of the most attractive proposals within the summer programme of the Donostia2016 project. It was also one of the previously programmed projects in the original DSS2016EU cultural programme, within the frame of the Lighthouse of voices.
The work was at the pre-production stage and had the participation of the following associations and individuals: several regional theatre and dance companies; several music schools and choirs; agents related to gastronomy and cuisine; the Association of Translators, Correctors and Interpreters of the Basque Language (EIZIE); Patxo Tellería (responsible for the adapted script).
Juan Garzia translated A Midsummer Night's Dream into Basque, and this work, as well as the original version, was the starting point rather than a script to be followed word for word for preparing the performance in 2016. The script for this innovative 2016 version was brought to us by Patxo Tellería.
With the aim of sharing, socialising, debating and, in the end, enriching Juan Garzia's translation, the Association of Translators, Correctors and Interpreters of the Basque Language (EIZIE) organised a series of activities in collaboration with DSS2016EU, under the initiative "New life for Shakespeare's Dream".
Programme
| Activity | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| The Translator's Kitchen (I) | 30th September 2014 - 17:00 | Gasteiz - Graduation Hall of the Faculty of Arts |
| The Translator's Kitchen (II) | 30th October 2014 - 18:00 | Donostia - Lugaritz Culture Centre |
| The Basque versions of Shakespeare (round table) | 20th November 2014 - 19:00 | Basement of the Municipal Library |
| A Midsummer Night's Dream in English and in Spanish (talk) | 27th November 2014 - SUSPENDED | Donostia 2016 Hall |
| Uda gau bateko ametsa (the new Basque translation of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Translated by Juan Garzia - Online publication) | 3rd December 2014 | EIZIE's website |
