Correspondence between Rosa and Bizzari: the debate about the translation of "Coco de festa do Chico Barbóz"

Abstract

The correspondence between Guimarães Rosa and his Italian translator, Edoardo Bizzarri, reveals a kind and friendly, even affectionate, relationship, marked by mutual admiration. Rosa frequently praises and encourages Bizzarri in the hard enterprise of translating Corpo de baile, a task to which he was dedicated at the time. They thus create a pleasant environment, contributing to the discussion of ideas. The letters exchanged between author and translator are very enlightening in relation to several aspects of Corpo de baile and the Rosean work in general, making this correspondence an important document, not only to the knowledge of translation processes, but also to the study of the author’s work. This is what stands out in their discussion about whether or not to include in the Italian edition the passage called “Coco de festa do Chico Barbós”, one of Corpo de baile’s epigraphs. In this paper we focus on this discussion, which provides precious information to reflect on the widely spoken of relations between popular culture and high culture in the work of Guimarães Rosa.