In Honourable Celebration of the First Folio Quadricentenary: 1623–2023
It scares me to think what would have happened if two of Shakespeare’s best friends hadn’t compiled and arranged 36 of the 39 plays he wrote and sent the manuscript to print in the autumn of 1623. Half of them would have probably been lost to the world, as happened with the works of other playwrights in the 16th and 17th centuries.
This November, the entire world vehemently celebrates four hundred years since the literary miracle we now call Shakespeare’s First Folio. Without it, human history would have been poorer, and we would never have been able to enjoy more than a dozen of his masterpieces.
I’d say that it is right to celebrate Shaekspeare´s work but with modern touches of irony, humour, and even some circumspection. That is what I set out to achieve in the book The Last Folio. The book is a fine collection of six-and-thirty mini-essays written after the old stage performances. It represents a modest homage to the immortal, sublime, and valuable literary works. The collection is also a tribute to all those who contributed in their own ways four hundred years ago to the very unique project of bringing them together for posterity. Sooner or later, you may ask: why The Last Folio title for this volume? The word last was intended to suggest “most recent in time,” not to mean “definitive” or “final”.
I strongly believe that one of the reasons why Mr Shakespeare’s timeless storylines are still relevant in the twenty-first century is precisely the incredibly vast collection of adaptations and distinct rewrites of his plays. My approach in this book is based on the belief that having our own version of the old literary gems for each generation is critical. It is also humankind’s moral duty to preserve the significant achievements of gifted minds, and keep them well sheltered. Through brief records focused on the main stories, our Last Folio intends to encourage reading and provide enjoyment along with inspiration to young readers around the world.
The book is already available on Amazon, both Kindle and paperback editions, and my intention is also to put together all the 36 essays in a commemorative, exquisite hardcover volume.
