The sun shone down on the beautiful village of Deia, not for a space launch but for the launch of what is a superbly written and informative book of Robert Graves, one of the most famous sons of Mallorca and indeed of the 20th Century.
I was delighted to be invited by my friend William Graves, the son of Robert Graves whose relentless work with the Fundacio Robert Graves in preserving the casa and the history of his father’s World famous books and poems is a never ending task. So many study the works of Robert Graves throughout the World with seminars, discussions and conferences and Mallorca is proud that such a famous author and poet lived in the small village of Deia. Here, the casa of Robert Graves is located. It is preserved as it was in the 1930’s and the Fundacio of Robert Graves has now restored the garden to it’s original design. The restoration of the amphitheatre for readings, and concerts is now one of the next key projects in bringing the casa back to how it looked in those days when Robert Graves wrote so many of his books and poems at the casa. The, I Claudius, The White Goddess and Goodbye to all That are amongst the books known by so many. A recent film “ The Laureate” premiered at the Palma Film festival last year focussing on the early life and the family life of Robert. It is amazing that life in those times mirrors those of present times.
A film, not to be missed.Robert Graves, honoured throughout the World by so many Countries, presented with so many awards, Professor of Poetry at Oxford University and serving in the World War 1. A man of magical writing, a private life complex and intriguing. Born in London in 1895 and living much of his life in the casa in Deia where he died in 1985. The story, the poems, the books and the life of this most famous man of Mallorca is now set out with wonderful photos of the casa, gardens, and family photos in the book created by William Graves “ Robert Graves and Ca N’Alluny”I am surprised that so many I know on this island have not yet been to the casa in Deia. A great day out. Tourists from around the World visit the casa and see the short film of the life of Robert Graves before walking around the casa itself to see how it was in the 1930’s and to see the many awards, letters from Presidents, our late Queen, Churchill and photos.
The casa is so interesting and Deia itself offers so much to all with it’s many restaurants and scenery that takes your breath away. What a wonderful setting at the casa for the launch of this book by William to invited guests.The sky was blue, the sun was warm and William’s introduction and slide show on the family brought us all into the World of his father now put together in this new book which I was privileged to receive some days before the launch from William, signed by William to me. It was the first book of the print run as they say. All invited to the private launch were given a copy and William certainly must have had cramp in his hand as he signed the books for all those with a copy. There will be other presentations by William of the book in Palma so do look out for details.
It is a book to cherish and Mallorca is clearly honoured to have had such a man of literature. World famous, living and working, using his own print press in the casa Ca N’Alluny in the idylic village of Deia. I thank William for his kind invitation and I am delighted that Celebrity Magazine can bring you into the story of Robert Graves. Do visit the casa, buy the book soon to be available and please do visit our website at www.celebritymallorca.es for more articles, reviews and so much more. For any details about the magazine, advertising, events or ideas then do please contact us. We are here for you. David Whitney