Leonard Cohen 76 years

[Sasha K]

I have a suggestion for our gift to Leonard for NEXT year.

It will take some organising, which is why I am suggesting it now.

I thought Forum members could each contribute some kind of original work of art , created by themselves. Writing, photos, drawings , songs etc. These could be compiled into a book dedicated to Leonard and sold online by an organisation like http://www.lulu.com, which a friend of mine uses and recommends. It does all of the publishing work, and charges only a very small commission. It reliably sends proceeds from sales to the author.

I thought Forum members could buy copies of this book as Christmas gifts, mementoes for their grandchildren etc. The proceeds could be donated towards Leonard`s Middle East Peace project.

What do you think, everyone ?

[MaryB]

Sasha,

Not all of us are poets, so we couldn't contribute to this year's book of poems, so I think it's a fantastic idea! I'm definitely on board!

Best regards,
Mary

[lizzytysh]

That's a WONDERFUL idea, Sasha. Even the most humble contributions [such as whatever I might be able to manage... seriously] would be deeply appreciated by Leonard. With a one-year lead time, each of us ought to be able to come up with something. It's wide open as to what we might wish to contribute, as well. The publishers taking a minimal portion of the proceeds is a real incentive, too, and the proceeds going to Leonard's Middle East Peace Project a splendid aspect! I'm glad you brought it up now... it will take every bit of that time for me personally to manage something; and it looks like Mary and I climbed into the same life raft .

Welcome !!


~ Lizzy

[iveta]

great idea
since he came so far for the beauty, I'll try to think of something that is not junk
would a concert report do?
iveta

[TheSpice-BoxOfEarth]

That`s an amazing idea! Poetry and arts are close to my heart, so I`m absolutely on board, too!

[silvergreen]

That's a marvellous idea!!!
I'll try to be on board too, if my 9 months old baby boy leaves me the time to - he is my reason to live for, and also the reason for which I cannot reach LC's concert in Bucharest tomorrow .

[redstudio]

Good idea Sasha, I'm on board with artwork and I have done book art. It could be really cool! Pam

[a.ephroni]

Ooh, I love the idea! I would be totally excited to participate. Thanks, Sasha... it would be such an honor to create/offer something.

Annette

[a.ephroni]

Oh, and silvergreen: I totally empathize. I have a two and a half-year-old, and I am just now beginning to feel like I can do a couple of things besides, as you say, living for him...
I adore motherhood, I adore my child, and man, it takes everything. Blessings on your journey, sister...

[sourire]

Genius! It's a wonderful idea; great to think that Leonard's creativity could inspire the rest of us to explore our individual talents. I've got a year to look for mine...must be something lurking in there.
Incidentally, has anyone bought/seen the hardcopy publications from this source? Are they good quality/well edited? I'd like to feel we'd be up to Leonard's standards

[edlosi]

I agree, it's a wonderful idea! And I will participate too.

Thank you
Isolde

[silvergreen]

Oh, and silvergreen: I totally empathize. I have a two and a half-year-old, and I am just now beginning to feel like I can do a couple of things besides, as you say, living for him...
I adore motherhood, I adore my child, and man, it takes everything. Blessings on your journey, sister...

Thank you, a.ephroni! Indeed, I feel like I live in a dream, my most beautiful dream. I wanted my baby so much, and God let me have him only when I was 40 yearls old.

[Sasha K]

Sourire, I haven`t yet seen a hard copy published by http://www.lulu.com, but:

It has been recommended to me by a co-worker who has used it ( his own hard copies have been sent back to his home country in Europe ) and he tells me there is a range of options and prices. For example, you can select hand-bound or glued books; and the highest-quality option includes real photographic paper for the photographs...and

Sasha Illich ( brother of Ivan ) is currently offering a book published by lulu.com. The Illich family are said to be descended from royalty, and, having spent time with Ivan Illich on a few occasions, I can attest to the fact that he was a natural aristocrat with the highest standards in the world ...

If anyone else on the Forum has seen hard copies published by ww.lulu.com, let`s hear about it !

I am so happy that people are interested in this project. It is a lot of fun to be a fan of Leonard - but I feel it is also important to honour our OWN gifts...and I am sure that Leonard would agree.

Take care, everyone.

Sasha K.

[Birdonawire]

Sasha,

Not all of us are poets, so we couldn't contribute to this year's book of poems, so I think it's a fantastic idea! I'm definitely on board!

Best regards,
Mary

Hi Mary,
I don't remember ever hearing of this book of poems. Is it something fans contribute to then is sent on to Leonard? Is it organised through the forum?

[Carmen]

Sasha,
EXCELLENT IDEA for us to contribute with anything that would represent us best, in a book for Leonard's 76th birthday.

Another poster, maybe with photos taken by Cohenites from the 2009 concerts, and group photos from Hydra or concerts, would qualify as well. I say it especially as I am one of those who, sadly, haven't managed to get their photos on this year's poster (which, by the way, looks fabulous! congratulations to Laura and all involved in making it!)

I'm definitely in for the book - and thanks Goodness we have enough time to come up with ideas. I think that even some of our comments after the concerts could be included (especially in the case of people who do not write poems, or compose songs).

Carmen