All 27 European Union member states and the European Commission in Washington, DC, have launched a literary project titled European Poetry in Motion to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the EU.

Over a hundred poems ― five poems from each of the 27 member states of the European Union ― will be exhibited this month on posters in Washington area public bus and metro systems in their original language along with an English translation. EU country representatives also will participate in a marathon reading at the Goethe Institute and poetry readings at Bus Boys and Poets.

They have an awful flash-based website, demonstrating that good poetry is often still presented with bad code, so here are some notable events:

May 1st
Begin of exhibition in Metro buses and Metro stations

May 5th
2—7 p.m.: Poetry Marathon
Goethe Institut
812 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
For more information call: 202.289.1200 or go to
www.goethe.de/washington

May 7th-8th
EU Short Film Festival
Goethe Institut
812 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
For more information call: 202.289.1200 or go to
www.goethe.de/washington

May 9th
Europe Day
Ambassadors to School Program
European Commission Ambassador John Bruton and Ambassadors from 27 countries will be teaching students about the EU at Washington area schools to commemorate Europe Day, May 9. This marks the day in 1950 when French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman called on France, Germany and other countries to pool together their coal and steel production as the first concrete foundation of a European federation.
For more information go to www.eurunion.org

May 12th
Open House at EU member state embassies and the EU Commission in Washington, DC
Shuttle service provided
For more information go to: www.germany.info

May 20th
4 – 6 p.m.: European Poetry Reading
Busboys and Poets
2021 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
For more information call: 202.387.POET or go to
www.busboysandpoets.com

I like the ability to switch between languages when you click on the text. Very nice idea; but flash is still a horrible way to present ideas. Placing text side by side actually gives a better sense of translation. And what’s with the giant “print” button? Perhaps an “embed” button would be better so bloggers around the world could weave favorites into their own threads. Print. Who wants to print?

After looking around I’m already tempted to work on another translation of Petr Borkovec’s poem (Natural Causes).

These lyrics by Stan Kesler and Charlie Feathers always remind me of passwords:

I forgot to remember to forget her,
I can’t seem to get her off my mind.
I thought I’d never miss her,
But I’ve found out somehow
I think about her almost all the time.

Well the day she went away
I made myself a promise
That I’d soon forget we’d ever met.
But something sure is wrong
‘cos I’m so blue and lonely:
I forgot to remember to forget.

Well the day she went away
I made myself a promise
That I’d soon forget we’d ever met.
But something sure is wrong
‘cos I’m so blue and lonely:
I forgot to remember to forget

Or would it be better to compare to 3DES?

Is this an “only in Ohio” story? I think not. The lesson here seems to be that if you can recite versus from the bible, you get favorable treatment in America even if you were caught trying to use stolen credit cards:

When Eric Hine appeared in court this morning, his attorney described him as a church-goer, hoping the judge would set a low bond.

Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge John Burlew was skeptical and asked Hine to recite the 23rd Psalm.

He did: all six verses. Some in the courtroom applauded.

Did the judge read along to verify or did he also have the 23rd Psalm memorized? It’s not exactly the least well known passage:

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: For thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.

I hear it might even stop a police officer from arresting a suspect. Wonder what the judge would have done if the alleged criminal was a devout Muslim. Or what about just a voracious reader of philosophy? Recite Descartes? Camus?