“From the depths of the native land...” (Unknown poems by the West Belarusian poet Janka Malanka)

The article analyzes the unknown poems of the West Belarusian poet, prose writer, publicist and artist Yanka Malanka (1895 – 1938). Considering the characteristic features of the creative personality of Ya. Malanka, the author notes the richness of the problem-thematic content, as well as the variety of genre-structural forms of the poet’s works, who wrote not only poetry, but also sketches, stories, fairy tales, jokes, feuilletons, political ditties, etc. others. Sincerity and warmth presupposed in them a characteristic internal mobilization and tension were supplemented by an offensive logic of thinking, lyrical ridicule was intensified by the pathos of civic spirit and patriotism, as well as humorous-satirical revealing and exposure.

The leading motives and images of Ya. Malanka’s poetic creativity are revealed. At the same time, it is emphasized that a cheerful mood, categorical invectives, heightened emotionality were intensified in him by hyperbolized images and grotesque drawings. Ya. Malanka combined the accuracy of realistic reflection of phenomena and events with the peculiarities of the romantic elevation of the hero’s aspirations and impulses, lyrical spontaneity and penetration were complemented by journalistic and satirical sharpness. Attention is drawn to a certain sketchiness of the word-image of the poet, “primitive accuracy” of his ideas and thoughts, roughness of style and linguistic constructions.

1. Lis A. Burning lightning trail: an etude to the portrait of the artist Gorid. Minsk, Mastatskaya litaratura Publ., 1981. 118 p. (in Belarusian).

2. Malanka Ya. Triumph of “Hramada”. Malanka [Lightning], 1926, no. 15, p. 6 (in Belarusian).

3. Malanka Ya. To you, Mother Belarus… Belaruski gaspadarski kalyandar na 1926 g. [Belarusian Economic Calendar for 1926]. Vilnius, 1925, p. 41 (in Belarusian).

4. Malanka Ya. To Belarusian voter. Malanka [Lightning], 1927, no. 10, p. 2 (in Belarusian).

5. Kalesnik U. A. Literature of Western Belarus. Gіstoryya belaruskai savetskai lіtaratury [History of Belarusian Soviet literature]. Minsk, 1981, pt. 1, pp. 126–159 (in Belarusian).

6. Ya. М. Braver… Nasha prauda [Our truth], 1927, June 18, p. 2 (in Belarusian).

7. Yanka M. One day of my editing (True from nature). Malanka [Lightning], 1926, no. 9, pp. 4–5 (in Belarusian).

8. Malanka [Lightning], 1926, no. 2, p. 1 (in Belarusian).