Enrique Alda, who holds a degree in Translation and Interpreting from the University of Salamanca, has been working exclusively as a translator for the past twenty-five years. He has translated over one hundred and fifty books into Spanish. Over the last fifteen years, Enrique has focused his efforts on Irish literature and poetry, and divides his time between the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland and the foothills of Moncayo in Spain.
During his residency at Culture Moves Europe, Enrique is working on the translation of *Histoire d’un ruisseau* (1869) and *Histoire d’une montagne* (1880) by Elisée Reclus.
Could you tell us about this project and the challenges you’re facing?
These two books had already been translated into Spanish, but the translations were very old and, unfortunately, poorly done. I have been working with Julián Lacalle, head of Pepitas de calabaza, for over twenty years: it was he who asked me to do this new translation.
Élisée Reclus was a 19th-century anarchist, geographer, visionary, traveller, naturalist, vegetarian, poet and pioneer of ecology who advocated a harmonious return to nature. He published Histoire d’un ruisseau (History of a Stream) in 1869 and then Histoire d’une montagne (History of a Mountain) in 1880, two accounts that had a great impact and were widely read.
Histoire d’un ruisseau is a remarkable text, elegantly weaving together scientific discourse and elegiac poetry, philosophical reflection and even the beginnings of an ecological economy, long before the term was coined.
Histoire d’une montagne is a geographical treatise on the mountain and its landscapes, written in a poetic style. This is a fascinating literary work, strikingly modern in its approach, which combines a scientific perspective with philosophical reflection on freedom and happiness; a true ode to nature, and a profound exploration of the links between human beings and their environment.
One of the surprises of these two texts is that, although they were written 150 years ago, they remain highly relevant today. Reclus discusses the problems and situations we face today.
A particularly compelling aspect of Histoire d’une montagne is its analysis of the environmental impact of human activity on mountain ecosystems. With remarkable foresight for his time, Reclus raises questions that remain relevant today regarding the preservation of these unique natural spaces.
Both books are profound and moving texts that invite reflection and activism for a more just and sustainable world. The style is descriptive, always warm and poetic, but at the same time clear and simple. It should not be forgotten that this is an avant-garde work, ahead of its time, but written in the 19th century as a pleasant conversation with the reader, which in itself is a reflection of an era.
The great challenge for the translator is therefore to recreate this atmosphere in a language intended for 21st-century readers, one that is faithful to and respectful of the original text, and to revive its poetic and avant-garde style.
Why did you decide to participate in this Culture Moves Europe residency?
Translating the two books I’m currently working on is a time-consuming task, and this grant has enabled me to spend three months in France. I’ve been translating for twenty-five years, mostly from English into Spanish, primarily works by Irish authors, but I’ve never stopped translating books into French and have always been interested in French culture and literature.
Working at the International College of Literary Translators allows me to immerse myself in the culture, speak and think in French and, of course, discuss any queries I have with other translators.
Over the past three months, I’ve met several fellow translators, made friends and shared many experiences. We’ve organised dinners where each resident brought a traditional dish from their country, as well as musical evenings in a warm and supportive atmosphere.
Of course, we’re talking about translation, but also about the countries we live in, their customs and distinctive features, the languages spoken there, and the state of the profession in those countries.
Book translated into Spanish:
Histoire d’un ruisseau suivi de Histoire d’une montagne, de Élisée Reclus
(Arthaud poche, 2017)
‘As our knowledge and material power grow, our human will asserts itself ever more strongly in the face of nature’.
If human beings paid more attention to the beauty of nature, they would stop rushing about and pause to savour the joy of sitting by a stream. The humble stream, the majestic river, the gentle waterfall or the imposing glacier become, in Élisée Reclus’s eyes, inexhaustible sources of knowledge and sublime manifestations of natural harmony. With the curiosity of a scientist and the wonder of a poet, he offers us his reflections on the origin of mountains and watercourses, driven by a desire to rediscover the original simplicity of observing nature.
Why do human beings not follow the example of the stream, which carves its own path whilst adapting to the order around it? Observing nature should teach us a way of progressing that is both thoughtful and respectful. Only then can we claim to be the most intelligent creatures on Earth. Joining Élisée Reclus on his walks is a chance to become aware of this.
Interview published in https://www.atlas-citl.org/enrique-alda-culture-moves-europe/
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