NEW HOPE INTERNATIONAL REVIEW
An independent small press poetry review
 RAW AMBER An Anthology of Contemporary Lithuanian Poetry edited by Wolfgang Görtschacher & Laima Sruoginis Poetry Salzburg Wolfgang Görtschacher University of Salzburg Dept. of English and American Studies Akademiestr. 24 A-5020 Salzburg Austria ISBN 3 901993 12 6 £10.95 + £1 p&p [€17.50 + €1.50 p&p; US$18.50 + $1.50 p&p] cheques payable to "Wolfgang Görtschacher" email Poetry Salzburg visit the website of Poetry Salzburg        Web design by  This page last updated: 10th December 2007. |
RAW AMBER | |
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Although Lithuanian poetry is widely available in German-language editions it is largely unknown to English-speakers. This excellent anthology brings together some of the best of Lithuania's modern poets. Since independence was declared in 1990 and in spite of continuing hardships Lithuanians are making their voices heard The two introductory essays by the editors provide an overview of poetry history and present situation in Lithuania and they are essential reading. The poems are better understood for having an informed idea of where the poets are coming from. The two editors bring the expertise of universities in both America and Austria. One of them, Struoginis, did the translations. There are 14 poets represented here ranging from those born around the time of the First World War to much younger poets born in the 1960s. They bring a range of experiences and poetic styles to the volume. Women poets are much in evidence and are among the most prolific of the writers. All of them have struggled with the changing times in Lithuania whether the challenges and horrors of occupation or the emergence of Lithuanian independence. Each poet's selection is preceded by a short introduction to their life and work. These make fascinating reading on their own and provide a snapshot of the cultural life of Lithuania. What emerges from the poetry in this book is a strong connection to the land itself and the Lithuanian people as a whole. For example, in Matinaitis' AND EARTH WENT UP TO HEAVEN it is for her fields, her land that the woman cries: During the war, as the bird-cherries bloomed, a crazy woman cried in the farmyard — There are no fields! There is no God! There are no nails left in the hammer!She laments the loss of livelihood and connection to the land when there is war. Although many of the poems have a rural content they range widely across the Lithuanian experience. The younger poets in particular relate to the modern times. So Alisanka's SEEING IS BELIEVING begins with a familiar scene i really should write a letter or at the very least a postcard with an image of one of europe's most beautiful squares: a horde of drunk soccer fans trample a mosiac of flowers through the nightThe language is refreshingly direct and tough but there is a tone of hope and expectation that, allied to the evident love of their country, informs all the work. The translations are excellent and there is no sense of jarring that translated poetry sometimes achieves. This is an excellent introduction to a vibrant and exciting poetic culture. | ||
| reviewer: Polly Bird. |