Guido Gezelle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Guido Gezelle
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Guido Gezelle
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| Born | 1 May 1830 |
| Died | 27 November 1899 (aged 69) Bruges, Belgium
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| Nationality | Belgian |
| Occupation | Poet, priest, writer |
Guido Pieter Theodorus Josephus Gezelle (born May 1, 1830 – died November 27, 1899) was an important writer and poet from Belgium. He was also a Catholic priest. Gezelle is well-known for writing in the West Flemish dialect, which is a local way of speaking Dutch.
Contents
Guido Gezelle's Early Life
Guido Gezelle was born in Bruges, a city in the West Flanders province of Belgium. His mother was Monica Devrieze, and his father was Pieter Jan Gezelle, who worked as a gardener.
Becoming a Priest and Teacher
In 1854, Guido Gezelle became a priest. After that, he started teaching at the Minor Seminary, Roeselare. He was always very interested in English culture and language. Later, he became the chaplain at the English Convent, Bruges. He passed away in a small room there.
Gezelle's Legacy in Bruges
Today, you can visit a museum dedicated to Guido Gezelle's works near the convent. There is also a small bar in Bruges named after him, showing how much he is still remembered.
Gezelle's Unique Writing Style
Guido Gezelle wanted to create a unique Flemish language. He aimed for it to be somewhat separate from the general Dutch language, which had more "Hollandic" influences. The Dutch he used in his poems was strongly shaped by the local West Flemish dialect.
Poetry and Spirituality
His poems often showed his deep, spiritual love for God and for all of creation. Later, his poetry became linked to a style called literary Impressionism. Many people see him as an early pioneer of this movement in writing.
A Translator of Stories
Gezelle also translated poems and stories from other languages. His most famous translation is Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, which he published in 1886. He first read the original story in 1856. He was fascinated by it because he found American Indians interesting, and he liked how the story showed Christian missionaries.
Why Gezelle is Important
Guido Gezelle is considered one of the most important poets in Dutch literature. This is because of his amazing skill with language and his unique way of writing.
See also
In Spanish: Guido Gezelle para niños
- Flemish literature
