Move_to_France Benjamin_Fondane

armand pascal s self-portrait , last known depiction (1929)

in 1923, benjamin fondane left romania france, spurred on need prove himself within different cultural context. @ time interested in success of dada, avant-garde movement launched abroad romanian-born author tristan tzara, in collaboration several others. not dissuaded fact sister , brother-in-law (the pascals) had returned impoverished extended stay in paris, fondane crossed europe train , partly foot.

the writer (who adopted francized name shortly after leaving native country) joined there pascals. 3 of them continued lead bohemian , @ times precarious existence, discussed in fondane s correspondence romanian novelist liviu rebreanu, , described researcher ana-maria tomescu humiliating poverty . poet acquired sources of income contacts in romania: in exchange contribution circulation of romanian literature in france, received official funds culture ministry s directorate (at time headed minulescu); in addition, published unsigned articles in various newspapers, , relied on handouts romanian actress elvira popescu (who visited home, did avant-garde painter m. h. maxy). translated french zissu s novel amintirile unui candelabru ( recollections of chandelier ). while, poet joined colleague ilarie voronca on legal department of l abeille insurance company.

after period of renting furnished rooms, fondane accepted offer jean, brother of deceased literary theorist remy de gourmont, and, employed librarian-concierge, moved gourmonts museum property on rue des saints-pères, distance away celebrated literary café les deux magots. in 6 years before pascal s 1929 death, fondane left gourmont s house and, sister , brother-in-law, moved succession of houses (on rue domat, rue jacob, rue monge), before settling historical building once inhabited author bernardin de saint-pierre (rue rollin, 6). complaining eye trouble , exhaustion, , several times threatened insolvency, fondane left paris resort of arcachon.

claudia millian, spending time in paris, described fondane s new focus on studying christian theology , catholic thought, hildebert gourmont s own latin mystique (it @ stage romanian writer acquired , sent home part of gourmont s bibliophile collection). coupled these activities interest in grouping cultural segments of romanian diaspora: around 1924, , millian founding members of society of romanian writers in paris, presided upon aristocrat elena văcărescu. meanwhile, fondane acquired profile on local literary scene, and, in personal notes, claimed have had works praised novelist andré gide , philosopher jules de gaultier. both idols: gide s work had shaped own contribution in prose poem genre, while gaultier did same philosophical outlook. self-exiled debutant nevertheless still viewing career despair, describing languishing, , noting there chance of him failing earn solid literary reputation.