The Gardens of Translation
The Gardens of Translation

Summary/Abstract: You probably have been to a garden in France or one right here in Romania. You probably realized that they are not all the same. I come from Lebanon, a small country overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Its weather is sunny most of the year and flowers bloom especially in mountainous regions; jasmine trees are quite common in both the city and rural areas. It is also common to find fragrant plants and herbs – thyme, basil – in old tin milk or biscuit boxes on the steps of the stairs leading from the garden to red tile houses. This depiction would carry you four thousand kilometers from here to my home country Lebanon and to its colorful, a-typical garden. However, all gardens are a-typical, are they not? Each is one of its kind. There may be common traits or features, common natural or even human features, but each garden will have its own smells, its own set of emotions that you will find nowhere else. It may be that you will be reminded like Proust – with his madeleine – of childhood memories or shared moments or special people. A garden remains a haven of peace, a moment of shared bliss with loved ones, family and friends.

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