Cognomen

Augustin Jianu's third volume of poetry ("Cognomen", Craiova, Editura Aius, 2024) is one of confirmation. On the one hand, it tests and strengthens the coherence and thematic cohesion of the previous ones. On the other hand, he sees the continuity of the lyrical inspiration, the elegance of the vision of the world and of poetry. In other words, the delicate gait of productive thinking is preserved. If the first two volumes showed themselves to be ones of search, questioning and uncertainty, this one is one of self-authorization, of illuminating one's own identity. If previously the cold lyrical self investigated itself, now it vibrates within the conscious and assumed interiority of its own identity. Concretely, what brings new "Cognomen" is a refinement of the attitude towards the poetic matter and towards the way of writing. The predominant feelings that modulate the volume are sila, lehamitea and revolt. The criterion that shapes the relationship between inspiration and discourse is the "absence of literary perversion" ("Certainty"). The poet wants to be authentic and succeeds in being so. His lyrics are of a high aesthetic altitude. That is why this third book illustrates Augustin Jianu, generically, as a true poet. Stefan Vladuțescu