Avigdor Hameiri facts for kids
Avigdor Hameiri (Hebrew: אביגדור המאירי; September 16, 1890 – April 3, 1970) was an important Hungarian-Israeli writer. He wrote many poems and stories. Hameiri is especially known for his writings about his experiences during World War I.
Contents
Biography of Avigdor Hameiri
Early Life and Love for Hebrew
Avigdor Hameiri was born as Avigdor Menachem Feuerstein in 1890. His birthplace was a village called Odavidhaza, near Munkatsch, in Austria-Hungary. Growing up, his grandfather taught him to love the Hebrew language.
When he moved to Budapest, he became a strong supporter of Zionism. Zionism is the movement to create a Jewish homeland in Israel. This was special because many Jewish people in Hungary at that time did not support Zionism.
Experiences in World War I
Hameiri served in the Austro-Hungarian army during World War I. He fought on the Eastern Front. In 1916, Russian soldiers captured him during a big battle called the Brusilov Offensive.
After he was released, he joined a group of Hebrew writers in Odessa. With their help, he moved to Palestine in 1921. Palestine later became the country of Israel. He also fought in the 1948 War of Independence for Israel.
Writing About War and Identity
Avigdor Hameiri wrote about his war experiences in his books. These books include The Great Madness (published in 1929) and Hell on Earth (published in 1932). These stories show how complicated it was for him to feel loyal to his home and his Jewish identity.
A writer named Gershon Shaked said that Hameiri's strong feelings against war came from his Jewish beliefs.
Literary Career and Achievements
Hameiri published his first book of poems around 1912, while he was still living in Budapest. Later, he started Israel's first independent newspaper. He also helped to organize a bank for workers.
Avigdor Hameiri was the first poet to be called Israel's Poet Laureate. This is a special title given to a country's best poet. His books have been translated and published in 12 different languages.
He passed away in Israel on April 3, 1970.
Awards and Recognition
Avigdor Hameiri received important awards for his writing:
- Kugel Prize (1962): This award was given to him by the city of Holon.
- Israel Prize for literature (1968): This is one of the highest honors in Israel for people who have made great contributions.
See also
- List of Israel Prize recipients
