The niece of renowned Bulgarian poet Nikola Vaptsarov, Maya Vaptsarova stated on Sunday that eight new poems, written by her uncle have been recently discovered and have never been published, the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) reported.
Maya Vaptsarova, who is also a writer and a movie director, spoke on the occasion of the Day of the Navy Military Academy in the Bulgarian Black Sea capital Varna. The Academy is named after the famous poet and sailor and celebrates their official holiday on December 7 - Vaptsarov's birthday.
"There are new poems, locked in a bank safe deposit box. We are awaiting the permission of their owner to open them and to reveal the poems. Those are verses written in the prison cell, shortly before my uncle's death. Eight poems are something very significant. I have seen them - the verses are truly unique," Vaptsarova said.
Vaptsarova further explained that the poems' publication was expected in 2009, when the country would celebrate the 100th anniversary of the poet's birth.
Nikola Vaptsarov was born on December 7, 1909 in the mountain town of Bansko. After high school he attended the Marine Machine School in Varna (the today's Navy Academy is the school's successor), and traveled as a sailor on the "Druzki" and "Burgas" ships, visiting Istanbul, Famagusta, Beirut.
Vaptsarov dreamed of studying literature, but because his family could not afford it, after graduating from the Marine Machine School, he held several blue collar jobs as a technician and mechanic.
In 1940, Vaptsarov began collecting signatures in the Bulgarian Southern mountainous Pirin region for the so-called "Sobolev Action" - a propaganda action lead by the then illegal Bulgarian Communist Party in support of the friendship and collaboration pact, offered to Bulgaria by the Soviet Union.
Vaptsarov was arrested over his activities and exiled in the village of Godech, near Sofia.
After the end of the exile, he initiated subversive activities against the German army in Bulgaria. The poet was arrested once again in March, 1942 and sentenced to death by shooting on July 23. He was executed the same night.
Vaptsarov's only book of poetry "Motor Songs" was published in 1940. In 1952 the poet received posthumously the honorary World Peace Prize.
Author: DP, 7 Dec 2008 19:36:22
Bulgaria Renowned Poet Vaptsarov Newly Discovered Poems to Be Published in 2009
"After the end of the exile, he initiated subversive activities against the German army dislocated in Bulgaria."
What do you mean by "dislocated"? Besides, as far as I remember Vaptzarov was accused specifically of spying for the Soviet Union rather than for subversive/sabotage activities.
It was a pity though that he was executed. And it was mainly the refusal of the Bulgarian Writers Association that had the chance to save him. The court was inclined to reduce the sentence on the basis of him being a poet of significant statue. However, envy seems to have been motivating factor for their refusal to do so. A shame, indeed.
Author: CreepyS, 7 Dec 2008 21:45:05
Bulgaria Renowned Poet Vaptsarov Newly Discovered Poems to Be Published in 2009
"Vaptsarov dreamed of studying literature, but because his family could not afford it"
This I bevieve is true. As for the BG writers who could save his live but didnt do so - we are a nation af aholes so it is not so surpising. Friends, loyalty, cause are nothing for us. Thats a pity and this is why we are not a rich nation.
Author: CreepyS, 7 Dec 2008 21:58:34
Bulgaria Renowned Poet Vaptsarov Newly Discovered Poems to Be Published in 2009
If you like, Levski is not really a Bulgarian - Pop Krastio, Dimitar Obsti etc these are the real Bulgarians.
Author: DP, 7 Dec 2008 22:26:52
Bulgaria Renowned Poet Vaptsarov Newly Discovered Poems to Be Published in 2009
Now I am just speculating, but I think that this newly discovered poems were kept in secret because whoever got them was concerned about Vaptsarov's image as the champion for proletarian commie ideology. That he sure was. But he was far more talented than Mayakovsky and the rest of the talentless slogan-spewers. His slogan-spewing was powerful.
The last poem known till now, written in prison, as a farewell to his wife Boika is beautiful. I see plamenski hanging around here in silence, but if I am not mistaken he did post that one once upon a time. I might be wrong though, eh, Plamene?
If those newly discovered poems are anything like the one I just mentioned, it would have been considered decadent, self-indulging, personal bourgeoisie propaganda by the commies, and could have cost him, Vaptsarov, a lot. Perhaps a vacation with free accommodations in Belyane? ;-)
Author: DP, 7 Dec 2008 23:17:19
Bulgaria Renowned Poet Vaptsarov Newly Discovered Poems to Be Published in 2009
Cont...
That's of course, if he, Vaptsarov, had lived to see what he was fighting for, and his newly discovered poems were published instead of being kept secret.
Well, now all that speculation is immaterial ;-)
Author: Rollingstoned, 8 Dec 2008 01:41:19
Bulgaria Renowned Poet Vaptsarov Newly Discovered Poems to Be Published in 2009
"I see plamenski hanging around here in silence,"
Hey DP
I see that too and I am perplexed. Is Plamenski "Banned"?
He is a good egg in my book and wish he would participate in our conversations even though I have no idea where he is, anymore!
Psst DP
Just between you and me.....I think Bill has a crush on you.
When are you going to tell him that you're taken by the guy on the south shore?
Hope you are staying warm and you're enjoying that an NFL game is being played in your city, for the first time, right now.......I have a feeling that you don't give a rats ass about that though....for the others.....Miami is beating Buffalo.
I hate both teams.
The NY Giants are The Super Bowl Champions!
And I smell a "repeat" even though they lost, today. :-(
Cheers DP
Stay warm and safe! :-)
Author: Bill, 8 Dec 2008 02:59:14
Bulgaria Renowned Poet Vaptsarov Newly Discovered Poems to Be Published in 2009
RS:
"I think Bill has a crush on you."
Are you serious? Right after she went and blew my good opinion of her and got on my case for holding it?
Author: DP, 8 Dec 2008 03:43:45
Bulgaria Renowned Poet Vaptsarov Newly Discovered Poems to Be Published in 2009
Hi RS,
I see that Plamenski has left. Don’t think he is banned—he is a good egg methinks too. Probably simply doesn’t feel like talking to us for the moment. Hope he will change his mind.:-)
On the local evening news there was plenty of coverage regarding the NFL game. It is pretty cold tonight, but the streets were full with people going to the game. Afterwards all will be partying, regardless of who wins, I think. There were fans from Buffalo and Miami. The first ones couldn’t care less about the weather, and the Floridians were walking around all wrapped up in shawls and scarves covering their faces—just their eyes showing. Losers! LOL
And don’t you talk to me about Bill. Just saw his post and realized that I blew it! I am crushed! Hope you won’t abandon me too now! Life sucks...:-((((((((((
You too keep warm and safe!
Leka nosht! :-)
Author: DP, 8 Dec 2008 03:46:36
Bulgaria Renowned Poet Vaptsarov Newly Discovered Poems to Be Published in 2009
Hi, BIll!
:-)
Author: Buddy, 8 Dec 2008 12:12:38
Nikola Vaptzarov
Thank you. One of the greatest bulgarian poets was not pardoned in 1942 by the German King, because Vaptzarov fought the german and bulgarian Nazis! Unfortunately the son of that German King continous to walk unabated the streets, roads and Mountains of Bulgaria and to assamble wealth from the sell out of bulgarias forestts! Hope that everything wills top one day....
And that day is not to far away!!!
Author: CreepyS, 8 Dec 2008 12:52:38
Nikola Vaptzarov
It is not so much the fault of the King but as DP said the fault of the fellow BG poets who were in position to help him - as far as I know the King did ask someone whether Vapcarov was indeed a big talent and that person replied "Oh, he is nothing special as a poet" and that was that.
Author: FIGMENT, 8 Dec 2008 13:37:21
Nikola Vaptzarov
I personally have NO use for poetry. Poets are useless, ineffectual human beings. As far as I am concerned, all poets can starve to death. No big loss to humanity.
Author: Bill, 8 Dec 2008 14:30:20
Nikola Vaptzarov
FIGMENT:
"I personally have NO use for poetry."
That's really too bad, you know. Poetry is one of the arts, and without it no society can call itself truly cultured.
Some of it is really beautiful, and so are music, opera, ballet, sculpture, prose writing, painting, etc. They all add to the cultural side of a society, which we all need after too heavy a dose of practicality.
Author: FIGMENT, 8 Dec 2008 15:02:07
Nikola Vaptzarov
Bill,
I have no use for poetry, just like you have no use for some art forms. Rock music comes to mind. I seem to remember how /0 and Rolli tried and tried to force you to experience it, and you just knew you did not like it and no one could force you to change your mind, no matter how much they insulted you. Well, I am like this about poetry. It is just words, just mumbo jumbo to me. I do not enjoy it, never have, never will. Some opera or even ballet I do enjoy, but no poetry.
Author: Bill, 8 Dec 2008 15:55:37
Nikola Vaptzarov
FIGMENT:
On that basis, I'll have to agree with you. Such things are a matter of taste. I suppose I'm too much of a purist, but after growing up with the likes of the Romeros, I just can't call what these youngsters do with a guitar really knowing how to play one, especially without amps.
But I do think you're overly strong when you call poets "losers". Granted, many are, but not all.
