Simon Frug facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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The Odessa literary group in 1916; from left to right: Yehoshua Ravnitzki, Shloyme Ansky, Mendele M. Sforim, Hayim N. Bialik, Simon Frug.
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| Born | Simeon Samuel Grigoryevich Frug 15 November 1860 Bobrovy-Kut, Kherson Governorate, Russian Empire |
| Died | 22 September 1916 (aged 55) Odessa |
| Occupation | Poet, lyricist and author |
| Language | Yiddish, Russian, Hebrew |
| Nationality | Russian |
Simon Frug (Russian: Семён Григо́рьевич Фру́г also known as Shimen Shmuel Frug) was a talented poet and writer. He was born on November 15, 1860, and passed away on September 22, 1916. Simon Frug wrote in three different languages: Yiddish, Russian, and Hebrew. He was known for his beautiful poems and songs.
Contents
Early Life and First Poems
Simon Frug was born in a place called Bobrovy-Kut in Ukraine. This was a Jewish farming community in the Russian Empire. When he was young, he learned about his religion in his village.
He started writing Russian poems when he was just 16 years old. His first poem was published in 1880. It appeared in a Russian-language Jewish magazine called Razsvet, which means "Dawn."
Moving to St. Petersburg
In 1881, Simon Frug moved to Saint Petersburg. This was a big city and an important center for writers. He quickly became a well-known writer there. He started publishing his works regularly. Sometimes he used a different name, called a pseudonym, for his writings.
Winning a Prize for His Work
In 1882, Simon Frug won an important prize for his poem called Legend of the Goblet. This poem became even more famous when another writer, Isaac Leib Peretz, translated it into Yiddish. This helped the poem reach many more people around the world.
Writing for Change
In the early 1880s, there were difficult times for Jewish people in Russia. There were attacks and violence against them, known as pogroms. These events deeply affected Simon Frug.
He decided to join a group called Hibbat Zion. This group worked to support Jewish people and hoped for a Jewish homeland in what is now Israel.
Poems About Hope
Simon Frug's poem Jewish Melody became a very important song for many Russians. It expressed the hope for a Jewish state. His first book of poems was published in 1885.
In 1886, his Yiddish poems were collected and published in a book called Lider un Gedanken. He released more books of poems in 1890 and 1897. Later, his fable Palma was also published. Fables are short stories that teach a lesson. In 1902, his songs about Zionism (the movement for a Jewish homeland) were published.
Simon Frug's Legacy
Simon Frug was a very important writer in Russia. Many people thought of him as the national Jewish poet of Russia. He liked to write about everyday life and folk themes. He used simple, light verses to talk about the struggles people faced. He also wrote about the sadness of Jewish people not having a permanent home.
He passed away in Odessa when he was 56 years old, after a short illness. About 100,000 people attended his funeral march. This shows how much he was loved and respected.
Remembering Simon Frug
Today, many cities in Israel have streets named after Simon Frug. These cities include Tel Aviv, Haifa, Holon, Kfar Sava, Ramat Gan, and Netanya. This helps keep his memory and his important work alive.
