Contributions by Alex Niemi

Alex Niemi is a translator from French, Spanish and Russian studying at the University of Iowa’s MFA program in Literary Translation. She is also currently working with Chilean author Matías Correa and Uzbek poet Alina Dadaeva. Latin American readings she's recently enjoyed include Federico Falco and Marosa di Giorgio.

The Ceremony

Published on September 3rd of 2013 by Inés Marcó and Alex Niemi in Fiction.

Inés Marcó
translated by Alex Niemi

CAST

Pope
Layman
Guard of the Brotherhood
Brothers of the Circle

The characters meet at the entrance of a large urinal. The Pope is waiting for them.

Before entering, the brothers greet the Pope by turning in circles and waving their hands as if dancing the tarantella.

Everyone wears paint-stained aprons.

After the greeting, the Pope bestows a brush and palette on each of them.  The brothers introduce themselves and crawl one by one into the hole of the urinal.

Once inside, the ceremony begins.

The Pope asks the Guard of the Brotherhood if all present belong to the circle.  The Guard of the Brotherhood makes his rounds and confirms that they do.

Pope: Dada. Dada. Let the meeting begin!

All (in a church whisper): Dada. Dada.

Pope: In this, the 92nd year of our era, we will initiate a layman to our … Read More »






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