Alexander Kushner
Encyclopedia
Alexander Semenovich Kushner (born September 14, 1936) is a prominent Russian living poet from Saint Petersburg
.
into a Russian
-Jewish family; his father was a military engineer. He graduated from Herzen University
, and later, between 1959 and 1969, taught Russian literature. After that he became a full-time writer and poet. Since then he published about 15 collections of his poetry and two books of his essays. In 1965 he became a member of the Writers' Union
, in 1987 joined the Russian PEN
Center. He is also editor-in-chief of Biblioteka poeta (the "Library of the Poet" series). His only son Eugene and his family live in Israel
.
In October 1993, he signed the Letter of Forty-Two
.
His poetry resembles that of Acmeists
. He usually doesn't write in free verse
and seldom experiments or tries to elaborate a new poetic form, preferring to write in a classic, 19th century-like style. The Nobel Prize winner Brodsky
once called Kushner "one of the best lyrical poets of the 20th century", adding that his name "is to stand in the line of names dear to the heart of every native Russian speaker"
Translations of Kushner's poetry into English, Italian and Dutch were published in book form; several poems were also translated to German, French, Japanese, Hebrew, Czech and Bulgarian.
for poetry, bestowed on him by Russian president Vladimir Putin
in 2001. http://www.india.mid.ru/ed24.html
Also
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
.
Biography
Kushner was born in LeningradSaint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
into a Russian
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
-Jewish family; his father was a military engineer. He graduated from Herzen University
Herzen University
The State Russian Herzen Pedagogical University is one of the largest universities in Russia. Located in Saint Petersburg, it operates 20 faculties and more than 100 departments. Embroidered in its structure are the Institute of Pre-University Courses, the Institute of Continuous Professional...
, and later, between 1959 and 1969, taught Russian literature. After that he became a full-time writer and poet. Since then he published about 15 collections of his poetry and two books of his essays. In 1965 he became a member of the Writers' Union
USSR Union of Writers
The USSR Union of Writers, or Union of Soviet Writers was a creative union of professional writers in the USSR. It was founded in 1932 on the initiative of the Central Committee of the Communist Party after disbanding a number of other writers' organizations: RAPP, Proletkult, and VOAPP.The aim of...
, in 1987 joined the Russian PEN
International PEN
PEN International , the worldwide association of writers, was founded in London in 1921 to promote friendship and intellectual co-operation among writers everywhere....
Center. He is also editor-in-chief of Biblioteka poeta (the "Library of the Poet" series). His only son Eugene and his family live in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
.
In October 1993, he signed the Letter of Forty-Two
Letter of Forty-Two
The Letter of Forty-Two was an open letter signed by forty-two well-known Russian literati, aimed at Russian society, the president and government, in reaction to the events of September – October 1993...
.
His poetry resembles that of Acmeists
Acmeist poetry
Acmeism, or the Guild of Poets, was a transient poetic school which emerged in 1910 in Russia under the leadership of Nikolai Gumilyov and Sergei Gorodetsky. The term was coined after the Greek word acme, i.e., "the best age of man"....
. He usually doesn't write in free verse
Free verse
Free verse is a form of poetry that refrains from consistent meter patterns, rhyme, or any other musical pattern.Poets have explained that free verse, despite its freedom, is not free. Free Verse displays some elements of form...
and seldom experiments or tries to elaborate a new poetic form, preferring to write in a classic, 19th century-like style. The Nobel Prize winner Brodsky
Joseph Brodsky
Iosif Aleksandrovich Brodsky , was a Russian poet and essayist.In 1964, 23-year-old Brodsky was arrested and charged with the crime of "social parasitism" He was expelled from the Soviet Union in 1972 and settled in America with the help of W. H. Auden and other supporters...
once called Kushner "one of the best lyrical poets of the 20th century", adding that his name "is to stand in the line of names dear to the heart of every native Russian speaker"
Translations of Kushner's poetry into English, Italian and Dutch were published in book form; several poems were also translated to German, French, Japanese, Hebrew, Czech and Bulgarian.
Books of verse
- The First Impression 1962.
- The Night Watch 1966.
- Omens 1969.
- The Writing 1974.
- The Direct Speech 1975.
- The Voice 1978.
- Tavrichesky Garden 1984.
- Day Dreams 1986.
- The Fence Hedge 1988
- Night Music 1991.
- On the Dark Star 1994.
- The Milfoil 1998.
- Bank of Clouds 2000.
- Bushes 2002.
- The Cold May 2005.
- In the New Century 2006.
- One Cannot Choose Times...(five decades) 2007.
Works in prose
- Apollo under Snow
- Wave and Stone
- The Fifth Element (selected verse and articles)
Awards
His numerous awards include the Russian National Award (1996) and the prestigious Pushkin PrizePushkin Prize
The Pushkin Prize was established in 1881 by the Russian Academy of Sciences to honor one of the greatest Russian poets Alexander Pushkin . The prize was awarded to the Russian who achieved the highest standard of literary excellence. The prize was discontinued during the Soviet period. It was...
for poetry, bestowed on him by Russian president Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin served as the second President of the Russian Federation and is the current Prime Minister of Russia, as well as chairman of United Russia and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Russia and Belarus. He became acting President on 31 December 1999, when...
in 2001. http://www.india.mid.ru/ed24.html
Also
- «North Palmira» (1995).
- Award of "Novii Mir" magazine(1997).
- Tepfer fond Pushkin award(1998).
- Award of Tsarskoe selo(2004).
- "Poet" award(2005).
External links
- Short biography
- Petersburg Perspectives: Alexander Kushner has been described by Joseph Brodsky as one of the best lyric poets of the 20th century
- Времена не выбирают in verse English translation