I was born in Caicara del Orinoco, a small town located on the banks of the Orinoco River, in southern Venezuela. I am a teacher, musician, painter, and poet. Each and every one of these activities has nurtured my heart and soul, giving me that kind of treasures every man cherishes lifelong. Through teaching, I have discovered new miracles in the pure innocent minds of each one of my pupils, through painting, I’ve had the privilege of creating better worlds, just using pencils, brushes, and a heart plenty of dreams and colors. Through music I’ve heard the best of my people, their voices, instruments and dreams singing together as one, and through music, I met the woman who is my wife nowadays, and thanks to whom I am a happy father to a twelve-year-old boy.
I’ve spoken English since I was 21 years old, and learning another language has given me the opportunity to know many special people and life stories. Robert Coenraads is one of those special people, and without any doubt, his life’s testimony is one of those special stories. I met Robert in my hometown, since, by coincidence, his wife, Karleonet was born in there too and was a childhood friend of mine. During long conversations in Caicara, I could realize Robert’s profound life philosophy, his thought, his viewpoints about humankind problems and dilemmas, and this experience led us to a very close friendship that has remained during almost two decades, despite time and distance.
Today I am honored to write the Spanish version of Robert’s novel, “Circle of Time”, and thereby, show to Spanish-speaking readers this great story in its entire splendor; undoubtedly, a huge challenge. A tribute to family, friendship, humility, wisdom and innocence, an obeisance to the greatest values of man, this story portraits the best feelings that throb deep inside human beings, “Circle of Time” is a discovery, a reencounter with our own conscience. More than an utopia, this beautiful tale shows a possible world, which can only be reached once humanity becomes aware of their role in this green and blue, beautiful and massive spacecraft we share, without borders, religions nor languages, with more forested lands, and more happy children, and only one nationality: HUMANS.
Constantino Hernández is a member of the Venezuelan Society of International Art.