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If the bench idea does become a reality, rather than trying to decide on which of Leonard Cohen's words everyone can agree upon for an inscription, a little chalk-board could be built into it, and people can write their own inscriptions on it. Perhaps a small built-in space can be made on the bench, where chalk can be stored. A helpful local resident or two could ensure that there is always a piece of chalk handy, and can erase any inappropriate remarks (or offending "I"s).

(Before anybody comments, I am kidding! Sort of...)

Lady Di wrote:

My head is swimming after reading all the remarks and reasons for and against the inclusion or exclusion of one word! Personally, either is fine with me. Love the idea of the bench and the location, and of course when all is finalized, I will be thrilled to contribute. A very special birthday!

Ditto.

PS Sean/Daka, I loved your poems—they made me smile (for several minutes).

Dem wrote:I like how we have started already
a debate if we will write "I came so far for beauty"
or just "Came so far for beauty"
when the bench is as of yet
just thin air … Dem

Well, it is a virtual bench so far - or perhaps we can call it an iBench

How would "80 years" be expressed in Greek?

My vote would go for the LC signature as used by Marteen on Vegas name tag lanyards, (and on the hood of his car), the unified heart, and the 80 years in Greek.

If more is desired, I'd use "Came So Far for Beauty."

For the Chelsea plaque, I did Pay Pal and cash collections, and tracked the names of donors so that they could be printed in aprogram for plaque dedication. Anybody volunteer to do that roll this time? Assume someone is seeking approvals?

Collection overages for the plaque were substantial, and those funds went to LC's foundation for mid east peace.

imaginary friend wrote:Lady Di wrote:

My head is swimming after reading all the remarks and reasons for and against the inclusion or exclusion of one word! Personally, either is fine with me. Love the idea of the bench and the location, and of course when all is finalized, I will be thrilled to contribute. A very special birthday!

Ditto.

PS Sean/Daka, I loved your poems—they made me smile (for several minutes).

I am so glad, Imaginary Friend!

Sean

LOL, Paul. Good one!

daka wrote:

imaginary friend wrote:Lady Di wrote:

My head is swimming after reading all the remarks and reasons for and against the inclusion or exclusion of one word! Personally, either is fine with me. Love the idea of the bench and the location, and of course when all is finalized, I will be thrilled to contribute. A very special birthday!

Ditto.

PS Sean/Daka, I loved your poems—they made me smile (for several minutes).

I am so glad, Imaginary Friend!

Sean

I like your name very much, "Imaginary Friend"! It reminds me of a song I just wrote and recorded called "Imagined Dream" so I will put the link here; you might enjoy it..... http://jemhobbsseanhunt.bandcamp.com/tr ... ined-dream

dick:

"80 years" in Greek is "80 χρονια"
but "80th birthday" is the somewhat
more cumbersome "ογδοηκοστα γενεθλια".

But Greek is a very flexible language
so we could write
"For Leonard Cohen's 80th birthday"
as
"Για τα 80 χρονια του Leonard Cohen"

Dem

The last option would be beautiful... as well as very clear as to the precipitating event for the bench.

For the Chelsea plaque, I did Pay Pal and cash collections, and tracked the names of donors so that they could be printed in aprogram for plaque dedication.

As written above Dick
PayPal payment method was very good and convenient. Any other form of payment in my case would be very expensive (bank charges) and a lot of unnecessary bank documents . But of course everything depends on the country which are sent money ...therefore pls forgive me this personal point of view. I experienced this on the occasion of plaque

I agree with paypal, safe and fast!
I would like to be part of this "present" so, hope to see other news here about that!!
Piero

The World Heritage people may look more fondly on this if they know that at least a portion of the inscription would be in Greek!

Whatever the final decision I'm sure it will be 'just right'. Dem, thank you so much for all of the work you are doing on this!

I like the bench idea too, in Greek, maybe with French and Spanish and English translations, because not everyone is mulilingual.
BUT what if Leonard lives to 90 or 100? will the bench lose it's uniqueness? Will it limit our options on those occasions? Maybe we can keep on thinking about the appropriate "monumental gift" for the occasion? This morning I wondered what a small statue of Leonard puffing on a cigarette might look like. It woud need no plaque, no explanation because he said "If I reach 80 I will smoke". I sounds to me like a powerful visual artistic representation of many aspects of the man. I m a little bit of a minimalist so I am imagining a bench with a crack in it facing a bronze statue of Leonard smoking a cigarette with no words of explanation. (The bronze statue of Leonard could have a crack in it too). For me that "crack" commentary..."There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in" is the most profound thing Leonard has said in all of his communications. Anyways I am one mind with one opinion; I am only expressng it, with no expectations.

Sean
in Windermere

I just had another thought. There is a statue of Lorca in Madrid in a Plaza (Santa Ana). Here is a link to a series of images ....

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=plaza ... Ag#imgdii=_

I am wondering what a little or big statue of Leonard smoking that cigarette would look like nearby. The Spanish have a reverence (palpable and definitely discernable) for Leonard which might help the project to leap any conventional hurdles. Even if this is a longer-term project maybe it merits some consideration. Anyone who watched the Prince of Asturias Awards speech .. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIR5ps8usuo has a deep understanding not only of Leonard's feelings for Spain but also Spain's reverence for Leonard; he seems to have the seal of approval from the royalty. Maybe we could organize a bench facing Lorca's statue or maybe we could organize a bench and a smaller statue, or maybe a bench with a seated statue of Len smoking that 80th birthday cigarette (people could have their picture taken sitting beside the statue).

And maybe funding might be available in Spain towards the project?

Sean in Windermere