Sándor Petöfi is considered to be one of the greatest Hungarian poets. He was born in 1823, 200 years ago. Hungary and the Philippines are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2023. To commemorate the 50th year of Philippine-Hungarian diplomatic relations, a unique collection of Petöfi poems, as well as poems from fellow Hungarian poets, has been translated into six Philippine languages. This diplomatic and cultural endeavor has come to fruition with the launch of the Ateneo de Naga University Press book of poems, "Hindi Pasisiil Ang Pagsibol (at Iba Pang Tula Mula Hungaria)."
Ambassador of Hungary to the Philippines, Titanilla Tóth
Petőfi is believed to have been a casualty of war, dying on the battlefield at the young age of 26. A passionate lover of the French Revolution and all it stood for, Petőfi is an emblematic figure, with a long shadow cast over the history and literature of his nation. In her foreword, Ambassador of Hungary to the Philippines Titanilla Tóth compares Petőfi to Jose Rizal, calling both men national heroes and advocates of freedom and patriotism. They both used their talents as writers to speak out against oppression and inspire their countrymen to fight for their rights.
There are a total of 11 Hungarian poets represented, with up to seven of Petöfi poems included in the book. What is amazing to note is how the editors, Kristian Sendon Cordero and Enrique S. Villasis, went about with the translating chores. Not content to just translate the Hungarian poems into Filipino, the poems are also translated into Bikolano, Rinconada, Bwînën, Tigaonon, and Minasbate. I’ll be honest, and admit I wasn’t even sure which part of the country a couple of these dialects came from.
I was impressed to see the effort being made to have these Hungarian poems read by a diverse cross-section of Filipinos, and to heighten the appreciation that Filipino readers could muster. Despite the vast geographical distance between Hungary and the Philippines, poetry was being used to create a bond, and I applaud this kind of literary and cross-cultural effort.
One poem in particular, is worth quoting for the kind of depth it evokes, despite its brevity. And while originally written in Hungarian, I provide the English translation.
Sorrow? A Great Ocean (Sandor Petofi 1846)
Sorrow? A great ocean.
Joy?
A little pearl of the ocean.
Perhaps
By the time I fish it up
I may break it.
In Filipino:
Kalungkutan? Isang Malawak na Dagat (Sandor Petofi 1846)
Kalungkutan? Isang malawak na dagat.
Kaligayahan?
Munting perlas sa dagat.
Marahil
Kung hahanguin ko ito
Tuluyan itong mabibitak.
It’s a very interesting volume of Hungarian poetry, with accessibility to its intended Filipino audience, the primary concern.