Ryhor Baradulin
(also: Rygor Borodulin)
(Рыгор Іванавіч Барадулін)
(contemporary poet and translator; born: February 24, 1935)
![[ Photograph: Ryhor Baradulin ]](baradulin-s.jpg)
Ryhor Baradulin(also: Rygor Borodulin)(Рыгор Іванавіч Барадулін)(contemporary poet and translator; born: February 24, 1935) |
Photo Credit: Belaruskaya Mova: Entziklapediya,
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Note: Any Lacinka and Cyrillic Belarusian on this page is in Unicode (UTF-8) font encoding.
- The following biographical sketch is from Belarusian Literature in English Translation, compiled and produced by The National Commission of the Republic of Belarus for UNESCO and the Yanka Kupala Central Public Library (Minsk, Belarus), 2005:
"Ryhor Baradulin, a poet and a translator, was born February 24, 1935, in the Vitebsk province, Belarus. During World War II his father, who was taking part in the guerrilla movement, died (1944) and their hut was burned. Later, after graduating from high school, he entered Belarusian State University. Among his fellow students there were many future Belarusian poets (M. Straltsou, H. Buraukin, V. Zuyonak, Y. Svirka, etc.), which provided them with great opportunities to discuss their works and learn more techniques in poetry writing from one another. After graduation (1959), Baradulin started working for many journals and newspapers as well as at a publishing company, Mastatskaya Litaratura. Baradulin has taken an active role in social life - taking part in a UN Session (1984) and in various political events.
His first verses were published in 1953. Baradulin has authored many books of poetry that discuss the main events of the time: war through perception of a child, life after the war, and the worries of today's global issues. His verses are both humorous and witty and he has even written some poetry for children. He is a noted translator who has translated into Belarusian some verses of the British writers W. Shakespeare; G. Byron; Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian, Ukrainian, Moldavian, Georgian, Uzbek, Hungarian, Bulgarian, and Russian writers; as well as some Biblical texts. Many of his poems have been set to music.
Baradulin has been awarded several awards and honors: 'Friendship of Nations Order'; 'Honorary Sign Order'; the Kupala Literary Prize (for the collection of poems Room, and a book of translations from F. Garcia Lorca, Blue Dong of Granada [1976]); and the Prize of Comsomol of Belarus (for the book Ballad of Brest Fortress [1976])."
Note: In addition to being available on the Internet, the preceding summary is included on the CD-ROM, Belarusian Literature in English Translation,, 2005. Most examples of literature included on the Web site and the CD-ROM are both in Belarusian and in English. Much of the material had been previously published.
Also see Ms. Vera Rich's open letter concerning this compilation (June 30, 2005). In addition to completing many of the translations into English, Ms. Rich also wrote the introduction to it, and helped in its production in many ways.)
- From his entry in the Historical Dictionary of Belarus (Zaprudnik, 1998; p. 43):
"Prolific and versatile poet and translator and recipient of several literary awards, including the honorific title of People's Poet (1992). He is a graduate of the Belarusan State University and has been publishing since 1953. In the post-Soviet period Baradulin has been a strong advocate of state independence and democratization."
(Note: In the preceding excerpt, terms in bold refer to other entries in the Historical Dictionary of Belarus. The Historical Dictionary of Belarus is an important summary of the history of Belarus.)
Although neither article is in English, the following articles are the main ones currently available (May, 2010) about the new documentary video (April, 2010), "The Epoch of Baradulin" («Эпоха Бородулина»). (Hint: If you need translation help, online tools, such as Goggle Translate and similar tools, may be helpful, even if the translations are rough.)
"Belarus people's poet Ryhor Baradulin gives the first interview after three weeks at intensive care to the European Radio for Belarus.
The news that Ryhor Baradulin, the People's Poet of Belarus, on February 14 [2010] was admitted to an intensive care unit, scared greatly his fans and supporters. He was even forced to celebrate his 75th birthday in a hospital bed. Now that Baradulin has been transferred from the intensive care to the therapy department, Euroradio has visited Uncle Ryhor. We asked if the poet was scared himself when his life was at stake.
Ryhor Baradulin: I did not have time… You know, when you are dying, you are not feeling death. Simply, I felt uncomfortable being sick. But I did not have a feeling that I was passing away. I hope I will get out of this.
In the first week in the intensive care, Ryhor Baradulin stayed in bed because of high temperature. He was diagnozed with pneumonia -- not the easiest thing for a 75-year-old man. Even his wife was not allowed access to the husband in the first days. There were rumors that he was on artificial ventilation. Was it true?
Ryhor Baradulin: I was conscious most of the time. I have realized what it means when they say "to cut off oxygen", because I was connected to the oxygen supply. Generally, it is better to be healthy than sick. But I had no time to get scared. These lines have even come to my mind: "And the fear will not answer how death smells..." Funny lines.
The poet was admitted to the hospital of the presidential administration. Was he treated well after having opposed numerously to the current authorities?
Ryhor Baradulin: Very well! I thank them very much! I would have died without them. I am very grateful!
On February 24 when the poet turned 75, Baradulin was still in the intensive care. It was not allowed to pass flowers. Did he receive any congratulations?
Ryhor Baradulin: Congratulations were sent to the home address. There were many from friends, including from abroad. There were also congratulations from the culture minister, foreign minister and the Ushachy district council. Before they would pretend I was not in existence, but it has changed somewhat now… When I am discharged, I will look more into detail.Apart from friends, Ryhor Baradulin was congratulated by Iryna Abelskaya, the hospital's chief doctor. Her flowers were the only ones to reach the poet on his birthday.
Ryhor Baradulin: Yes. She sent 17 roses. She wished health and I thank you for that. Thanks to her, I was treated extremely well. Everybody took a good care of me. I thank her again.
Ryhor Baradulin, People's Poet of Belarus, is improving after three weeks in the intensive care. Doctors hope that he will be discharged in one week."
// Euroradio
Source: European Radio for Belarus (ERB), 2010-03-08 11:35:41
"Ryhor Baradulin is still in the intensive care ward. Valyantsina Baradulina, wife of the national poet, has informed ERB that he is not going to be transferred to a normal ward now.
That is where Uncle Ryhor will celebrate his 75th birthday with his beloved wife and doctors on February 24 [2010].
Valyantsina Baradulina: “He cannot walk and it is hard for him to sit. However, he does not feel worse. He feels a bit better. But he is not going to be transferred to a normal ward now. He seems to be in a normal mood when I come. And that terrible cough is gone”.
ERB wishes Mr. Ryhor a speedy recovery!"
// Valera Ruselіk
Source: European Radio for Belarus (ERB), 14:11 23.02.10
"The congress of the Party of the Belarusian Popular Front is taking place on Saturday in Minsk [Sept. 12, 2009], with almost 350 delegates from across the country participating. The congress is expected to elect a new chairman. At the beginning of the event, a video welcome by people's poet Ryhor Baradulin was shown to the delegates. The poet sent his greetings and read a poem devoted to the Party of the Popular Front.
The poet, often called Uncle Ryhor, was not able to attend the congress due to health reasons.
He was a member of the first council of the Belarusian Popular Front."
// Zmitser Paniamonau
Source: European Radio for Belarus (ERB), 15:15 05.09.09
"The Belarusian people’s poet is in a difficult situation. The poet’s associates and followers are selling his books to help him. Baradulin is in hospital at the moment.
More than 70 books have been ordered within the first day of the action and the number of people willing to buy them is increasing. The initiator of the action Hleb Labadzenka has informed about it in an interview with ERB.
Hleb Labadzenka: It is my idea. The thing is uncle Ryhor is a very modest and generous person. He would have never asked for help or money himself. I got to know about his troubles. It was impossible to come to him and say, here is some money for you, uncle Ryhor. We are afraid that it may insult him because the issue is very delicate. That is why we have decided to sell books.
Every book will be signed by the poet. One of the two books given to the poet by publishing houses instead of the fee can be bought now.
Hleb Labadzenka: You can buy the book “To live and see the green grass…” – the correspondence of Ryhor Baradulin and Vasil Bykau that lasted for 43 years. There is also a book of collected verses from the Belarusian collection of books. I also think that we will help uncle Ryhor to get more space in his room which would allow him to breathe freely.
ERB has decided to ask the “state” Union of Writers of Belarus whether they knew about the problems of the people’s poet. It turned out that the head of the union Mikalai Charhinets had not heard about it. However, he promised to help if the poet asked him for it.
Mіkalai Charhіnets: I do not know what health problems he has. There are cases when the Union of Belarusian Writers addresses to me. I think we should help our colleagues. I have a good attitude to him as he has done a lot for the literature.
However, an official request is unlikely to be addressed to Charhinets.
Hleb Labadzenka: I did not address anyone because it is a beneficent action. However, if Mikalai Charninets offers help or decides to buy a book – he will be welcome.
Applications can be sent to this e-mail: labadzenka [at] gmail [.] com. The starting price for books is from 12 to 50 thousand roubles. However, it is possible to donate more. "
// Paval Hіba
Source: European Radio for Belarus (ERB), 2008-10-29 14:34:07
"A launch party for five new books by prominent Belarusian poet Ryhor Baradulin was held at the Sts. Simon and Helena Church (also known as the Red Church), in Minsk on October 7 [2007].
The event began with a special prayer service in honor of the poet and other Belarusian authors.
Speaking at the launch party, Uladzislaw Zavalnyuk, dean at the Sts. Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church, wished all Belarusian authors to keep their language "clean."
Earlier this year, Mr. Baradulin was once again nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature for Ksty (Ксты), which was first published in 2005 and has been translated into many foreign languages.
Mr. Baradulin's five new books include new Belarusian- and English-language editions of Ksty; Byts (To Be), a poetry book commemorating the Chernobyl nuclear accident; a translation of Chinese, Japan, Korean, and Vietnamese poetry titled Hukanne Paezii Uskhodu (Sounds of Eastern Poetry); and the Malitva Vetru (The Prayer of the Wind) poetry book.
Alla Sakalowskaya, a professor at Minsk State Linguistic University (MSLU), expressed gratitude to the church for helping publish the books. She described Mr. Baradulin as an "honor of the nation." "A people that has such a poet is lucky. Centuries and generations will pass, many false prophets will pass into non-existence and they will refer to our time as the era of Ryhor Baradulin," she said.
Yury Stulaw, another professor at MSLU, called the poet "a teacher who teaches human soul to work."
The event was attended by Belarusian intellectuals and Swedish and Japanese diplomats. " // BelaPAN
Source: Белорусские новости, October 7, 2007; 10:21
"The condition of renowned Belarusian poet Ryhor Baradulin who is currently in the intensive care unit of the Presidential Administration's hospital diagnosed with pneumonia has markedly improved, his wife, Valyantsina Baradulin, told BelaPAN on Tuesday (Feb. 27, 2007).
The poet is expected to be transferred to a ward soon. He was hospitalized on February 22 [2007] with a fever.
'His condition has markedly improved and he has become much more cheerful. He even asked me to bring him his glasses, a pencil and paper,' Mrs. Baradulin said.
The poet is given drugs by intravenous infusion six times a day. He still has a slight fever, but the second chest screening test has showed improvements, according to his wife.
Mr. Baradulin turned 72 on February 24 while in the hospital.
The poet was born in the village of Haradok in the Vitsyebsk Province of Belarus on February 24, 1935. Earlier this year, the poet once again was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature for Ksty (Ксты), which saw the light in 2005 and was translated into many other languages."
Source: Charter 97, February 28, 2007; 10:21
"The People’s poet of Belarus Ryhor Baradulin expressed support to the Day of Belarusian Solidarity on November 16 [2005]. “When fingers of a fist are clenched, it would be much stronger. The same happens with people. When we would become united, helping each other, nothing could be possibly done to us. We cannot be defeated while we hold together. That is why I certainly light a candle on November 16. Let is become the first step to overcome our atomism,“ Ryhor Baradulin said.
Representatives of the civil society of Belarus proposed holding the Day of Solidarity with political prisoners, disappeared oppositionists, their families, and independent journalists, with all who fight for freedom and democracy in Belarus, on the 16th day of every month. The first Day of Solidarity took place in October. More than 100,000 people have taken part in the action on October 16. On November 16, 2005 at 8 p.m. the Belarusians are to switch off the light in their apartments for 15 minutes again, and to light candles of Freedom in their windows."
Source: Charter`97 Press Center, 17:08, 15/11/2005
"Deputies of Minsk city council have approved the decision to rename the street, which had been named 25 years ago Newspaper “Izvestia” Avenue as Newspaper “Zvyazda” Avenue. According to Minsk political analysts, the reason for this move is ideological preferences of the head of state. However, according to the current legislation, responsibilities to rename regions, districts cities and city districts are appertaining to his position. “To rename the Avenue of “Izvestya” Newspaper to Zvyazda” newspaper is a mockery. There is no such work “Zvyazda” in Belarusian language, only “zorka” (a star).
Everything Belarusian is eradicated in the country, the language is faced with extinction. The Belarusian schools, newspapers are being closed. And all of a sudden such a contrast “Izvestiya”- and “Zvyazda”. And the fact that the central avenue of Belarusian capital, Skaryna Avenue, has been renamed, is a spit at the nation’s soul. And what about Masherau’s Avenue?! Masherau was a partisan, a war hero. This name hinders Lukashenka, as Belarus had a good name in Masherau’s times. And now people mostly laugh at Belarus,” commented People’s Poet of Belarus Ryhor Baradulin on the latest novelties in the streets names in Minsk.
The editorial office of the “Zvyazda”, (newspaper founders are the “council of republic” of the “national assembly of Belarus” and the Council of Ministers) addressed the authorities many times and asked to immortalize their brand. And at last their request has been heard. It is worth mentioning that the name of “Izvestiya” has been sacrificed, while the “Pravda” Avenue, as well as dozens of the streets named in honour of Communist leaders: Kirov, Lenin, Marx, Kalinin, Sverdlov, Engels, remain on the map of the city."
Source: Charter`97 Press Center, 16:16, 20/06/2005
"Businessman Aleksandr Potupa, film directors Yury Khashchevatsky and Vladimir Khalip and other breakaway members of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee (BHC) gathered in Minsk on November 12 to set up a new human rights organization called Helsinki XXI."
"About two dozen members withdrew from the committee in mid-September, accusing BHC head Tatyana Protko of collaborating with the authorities and suppressing dissent within the BHC."
"More than 100 delegates from Brest, Hrodna (Grodno), Mensk (Minsk), Mohilau (Mogilyov), and Vitebsk attended the founding conference of Helsinki XXI. The founders included poet Ryhor Baradulin and writers Svetlana Aleksiyevich and Valentin Taras. They adopted regulations for Helsinki XXI and elected Mr. Potupa and Dr. Valery Filippov, one of the founders of the BHC, to lead the new organization."
Source: BelaPAN, No. 175; Sunday, November 12, 2000; 9:50 p.m.
- Belarusian Literature in English Translation: Short biographical sketch and examples of his writing in PDF format (in both English and Belarusian) at the following links:
- Short biographical sketch of Ryhor Baradulin -- scroll down the page to access his entry.
- Poems by Ryhor Baradulin -- scroll down the page to access his entries (the titles included are listed here).
- "The goods-waggon chugging and shaking…" ("Вагон таварны дрогка тузае")
- Bobbins (Калаўроты)
- The Ward of the Sappers (Палата мінёраў)
- The Cradle (Калыска)
- The Stork (Бусел)
- The Stones of Brest Fortress ("Камяні Брэсцкай крэпасці...")
- Eternity (Вечнасць)
- Bykaŭ and Baradulin: A Creative Literary Friendship by Arnold McMillin. This lecture was given to the Anglo-Belarusian Society (in London) in 2004.
- The Ryhor Baradulin Web site -- including his complete work, Ksty (Ксты), 2005. (Note: In late 2009, this Web site was not available; we hope it will return soon.)
- Viewpoint: 'Vilnia in Our Souls' by Ryhor Baradulin on the site: Belarusian PEN Centre Web (written 1 March 2001; no longer on the Belarusian PEN Centre Web site).
- Copies of 'Vilnia in Our Souls' on this Web site: "Вільня ў нашых душах" (Belarusian), "Vilnia in Our Souls" (English), and "Вильня в наших душах" (Russian).
- Works by Ryhor Baradulin on the Беларуская Палічка Web site
- Download complete book (PDF): Дуліна ад Барадуліна (published by RFE/RL, Radio Svaboda, August 31, 2004) on the Бібліятэка Камунікат Web site