How to celebrate Leonard's 80th birthday

[fusional]

Love this idea.

Happy to contribute. 'Came so far For Beauty' is a good option. There's tonnes of possibilities in his work - but going to obscure may be unhelpful.

[basecamp]

I contacted Mr. Lakis Christidis today and I'm glad to say that he really likes and will fully support our bench project. After contacting with the mayor of Hydra he called me again and said he is also very supportive and positive; the only problem we face now is getting the permission of the Archaeological Service (what I was afraid initially). The whole island of Hydra has been characterised as "archaelogical site" (since 1996), so for even small projects, things can be difficult. Mr. Christidis arranged to meet tomorrow a civil engineer (who is friend of his and knows well what is required in similar cases), so we can have a drawing design of the bench, as the mayor (who is also an architect) said we need to have it to present in all details our bench project; we talked about a simple stone bench (I mentioned the idea of "Came so far for beauty" inscription, that he really liked), located on the way to Kamini perhaps near Avlaki area. Mr. Christidis is so kind and helpful, let's hope everything goes well with required permission - in that case he said we could have a nice presentation supported by municipality of Hydra in September.
I'll keep you updated

Sophia

Such wonderful news, Sophia! Thanks so much to you and Mr Christidis! Fingers crossed that your efforts are successful.
Cheers!
Hans



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[Annick]

It is a great and beautiful idea.
I'll be glad to contribute.

[reneny3]

What a wonderful idea!
I too will be happy to contribute.

[BlizzardofIce]

Great idea.
Will contribute, too.

[lizzytysh]

I'm a hundred very sures that there are many who will be happy to contribute even if they're not commenting that they will... and even if they're not yet aware that this project will be happening. Glad to see people commenting. There used to be an algorithm [correct word?] that every letter to the editor that got written to publication represented 200 people who didn't write, but who agree. By now, that represented number may be even larger.

[regensburg]

Very good news, let us hope all goes well. Thank you Sophia for all your efforts to get this project under way.

[regensburg]

Are we inscribing Leonard's Name under " I came so far for beauty"?

[cohenadmirer]

Also very happy to contribute


Came so far for beauty seems very apt as a simple inscription

[Janetld]

I am also very happy to contribute, a lovely idea.

[Alethea]

I am delighted to contribute. Please don't leave off the "I" at the beginning of the line of poetry, even though it isn't in the title. Leonard is so meticulous about his writing, and to me the "I" refers not only to the poet and the singer, but also to the reader or listener. It is truly universal, and will let each person who reads the inscription feel that it has meaning for her/him personally. We are doing this for generations not yet born, who may not have the pleasure of seeing/hearing Leonard himself.

[lizzytysh]

Oh, GREAT clarifying thoughts, Alethea. Beginning with being true to Leonard's words and carrying right through to all the possibilities for people's own interpretations... not only now around the world, but in the many years wherein the bench will last.

[ursula48]

When I stayed in Aalborg, Denmark for Leonard's concert (26 August 2012) I visited the beautiful City Park with its trees of music. Since 1987 major celebrities have left reminders of their visits by planting a tree in Kildenparken . Visitors can press a button and listen to the musician's music. I was astonished that Leonard didn't plant a tree. I believe they didn't have time .
What about planting a tree together with a device to listen to one of Leonard's songs in a beautiful park in Montreal?
ursula48

[lizzytysh]

Hi ursula ~

Do have that same kind of arrangement in Montreal? Someone has to maintain those devices, so I'm thinking it's a municipality of some sort. If there were such a thing in Montreal, and the cost were such that we might be able to do such a thing with any funds left over from the bench, it sounds like a great idea. However, it seems that giving one 'large' gift is preferred for a milestone birthday, and the bench seems to be working its way through the approval channels. If it doesn't gain approval, however, and Montreal had such arrangements...


~ Lizzie

[liverpoolken]

...placing memorial plaques on park benches in memory of loved ones is a very common practice here in the UK...that's why i hope that whatever is decided that the bench will emphasise the fact that it has been placed there to celebrate leonard's 80th. birthday and not to have the look or feel of a memorial...

...obviously not appropriate for leonard's proposed bench on hydra but still my favourite park bench inscription by a country mile...ta ken