POETRY OF WESTERN BELARUS: UNSTUDIED PAGES

The article explores ‘unstudied pages’ of the Western Belarusian poetry of the 1920s–1930s and the quest for ideology and aesthetics by A. Dubrovich, U. Kazloushchyk, and V. Advazhny. A. Dubrovich’s works are addressed in the context of traditions pertinent to the lyrical and narrative style characterized by an unforced artistic worldview, a combination of the general and individual and of the objective and subjective. It is noted that A. Dubrovich’s poems were arranged in accordance with the narrative principle; they attracted attention due to such their aspects as epically unfolded pattern, sketchiness and publicism, and substantive concreteness of artistic imagery. U. Kazloushchyk was a representative of the romantic style that dominated in the poetry of Western Belarus. His works were marked by acute conflict between the lyrical hero and reality; they asserted specific features of the national revival doctrine and the heroic and patriotic spirit, and cultivated resoluteness, persistence, and strength. The article reveals their excessive involvement in the issues of national history and their romanticized imagery. It is noted that the works by V. Advazhny who represents the spiritually irrational stylistic trend, poeticize the foundations of mystical evolutionism. His lyrical consciousness addressed the Christian primary source, asserted the ideal beginning of the world, and glorified the faith in God as boundless and eternal Good and Happiness. Specific features of the poet’s social, patriotic and Christian ideal are identified. 

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3. Germanovіch Ia., Belaruskіia tsymbaly : Z krytychnym narysam Ad.Stankevіcha ab zhytstsі і tvorchastsі V. A. [Belarusian Cymbals: A Critical Essay of Ad. Stankiewich about the V. A.’s Life and Creative Work], Druk іm.Fr.Skaryny, Vilnia, LT, 1933.

4. Viartanne da svaіkh : Stanіslaў Grynkevіch. Franuk Gryshkevіch. Uladyslaў Kazloўshchyk [Return: Stanislau Grynkevich, Franuk Gryshkevich, Uladyslau Kazloushchyk], [Belarusian Union in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth], Bialystok, PL, 1999.

5. Dubrovich A., “Hey, the Vortex with Wide Wings...”, Kalos’se [Ears], 1938, Book 4, p. 224.

6. Kazloўshchyk Ul., Shliakham zmagannia: zbornіk vershaў [By Fighting: Collection of Poetry], Novy Shliakh, Vilnia, LT, 1935.

7. Rostanі volі: z zakhodnebelaruskai paezіі [Crossroads of Freedom: from the West-Belarussian Poetry], Mastatskaia Litaratura, Minsk, BY, 1990.

8. Stankevich Ad., “The Life and Creative Work of VA (Vintsuk Advazhny)”, in Germanovіch Ia., Belaruskіia tsymbaly : Z krytychnym narysam Ad.Stankevіcha ab zhytstsі і tvorchastsі V. A. [Belarusian Cymbals: A Critical Essay of Ad. Stankevich about the V. A.’s Life and Creative Work], Ed. Belarusian Institute of Economy and Сulture, Vilnia, 1933, III, XIX.

9. Stankevіch Ad., Belaruskі khrys’tsіianskі rukh (Gіstarychny narys) [Belarusian Christian Movement (Historical Review)], Khrystsiianskaia Dumka, Vilnia, LT, 1939.