Genrikh Sapgir facts for kids
Genrikh Sapgir (Ге́нрих Вениами́нович Сапги́р; born November 20, 1928, in Biysk, Russia – died October 7, 1999, in Moscow) was a famous Russian poet and writer. He wrote many poems and stories, especially for children. Sapgir was known for his unique style and was part of a special group of artists and writers in Russia.
Contents
Sapgir's Early Life and Writing
Genrikh Sapgir was born in a town called Biysk. His father was an engineer from Moscow, and the family soon moved back to Moscow. In 1944, when he was a teenager, Genrikh joined a special writing class. This class was taught by an artist and writer named Evgeny Kropivnitsky.
The Lianozovo School
Genrikh Sapgir and other students from Kropivnitsky's class later formed a group called the "Lianozovo School." This group was part of a bigger movement called Soviet Nonconformist Art. These artists and writers did not follow the official rules for art and writing in the Soviet Union at that time. They wanted to create their own unique styles.
Since 1959, Sapgir published many poems for children. However, his other poems and stories were often published in magazines outside of Russia. This was because his style was different from what was officially allowed.
Sapgir's Unique Writing Style
Another writer, Anatoly Kudryavitsky, said that Genrikh Sapgir was a very important person in the "Lianozovo Group." He mentioned that Sapgir and other poets like Igor Kholin wanted to find new ways to write. They often used everyday language directly in their poems. This made their work easy to understand and relate to for many people. Their writing showed a clear picture of daily life in Russia.
Sapgir's Works Published in Russia
A Time of Change: Perestroika
After 1989, during a time of big changes in Russia called "Perestroika," Genrikh Sapgir's poems, short stories, plays, and novels were finally published widely in his home country. This was a big moment for him.
In the late 1990s, three collections of his poems were published. Sapgir also traveled to many international poetry festivals, and his work was translated and published around the world. He received several awards for his poetry, including the important Pushkin Prize.
Sapgir's Final Years
Genrikh Sapgir passed away on October 7, 1999. He had a heart attack while riding a trolley-bus in Moscow. He was on his way to an event for a new book of Russian poetry.
In 2004, a book about Sapgir's life called him an "avant-garde classic." This means he was a very important and original writer who created new and exciting styles in literature.
Books in English
- Psalms. Translated by Jim Kates. Cold Hub Press, 2012.
