Yehuda AmichaiYehuda AmichaiIsraeli AuthorIsraeli Author

Presentation by Charles Presentation by Charles HubbardHubbard

If I forget thee, Jerusalem, If I forget thee, Jerusalem, Then let my right be forgotten. Then let my right be forgotten. Let my right be forgotten, and my left remember. Let my right be forgotten, and my left remember. Let my left remember, and your right close Let my left remember, and your right close And your mouth open near the gate.And your mouth open near the gate.

(from ‘If I Forget Thee, Jerusalem')(from ‘If I Forget Thee, Jerusalem')

Short BiographyShort Biography

Born in Born in Würzburg Würzburg Germany 1924, died 2000 in Jerusalem.Germany 1924, died 2000 in Jerusalem. 1935 - emigrated to Israel 1935 - emigrated to Israel World War II -Fought with the Jewish Brigade of the British World War II -Fought with the Jewish Brigade of the British

Army Army 1946 – Joined the Palmach (elite strike force)1946 – Joined the Palmach (elite strike force) Started writing poetry in 1949 Started writing poetry in 1949 Fought in the War of IndependenceFought in the War of Independence Attended Hebrew University and then taught in secondary Attended Hebrew University and then taught in secondary

schools.schools.

Bio, cont.Bio, cont.

Amichai's first volume of poetry, Amichai's first volume of poetry, Achshav Uve-Yamim Achshav Uve-Yamim HaAharim,HaAharim, “Now and in Other Days” was published in 1955 “Now and in Other Days” was published in 1955 and was awarded the Shlonski Prize in 1957.and was awarded the Shlonski Prize in 1957.

He published consistently until his death.He published consistently until his death. He is the most widely translated Hebrew poet since King He is the most widely translated Hebrew poet since King

David. David. Introduced to English readers by the American poet Ted Introduced to English readers by the American poet Ted

Hughes.Hughes. His readings often sold out and his translations sold well. His readings often sold out and his translations sold well.

Selected English translations of Amichai’s Selected English translations of Amichai’s poetry:poetry:

1955 1955 Now and in Other DaysNow and in Other Days 19631963 Not of This Time, Not of This Place Not of This Time, Not of This Place 19731973 Songs of Jerusalem and Myself Songs of Jerusalem and Myself 1978 1978 AmenAmen 19791979 On New Year's Day, Next to a House Being Built On New Year's Day, Next to a House Being Built 19811981 Love Poems (bilingual ed.) Love Poems (bilingual ed.)

Selected BibliographySelected Bibliography

Bibliography – Cont.Bibliography – Cont.

1983 1983 Great Tranquility: Questions and AnswersGreat Tranquility: Questions and Answers 1984 1984 The World is a Room (short stories)The World is a Room (short stories) 1988 1988 – Poems of Jerusalem– Poems of Jerusalem 19891989 - Even a Fist Was Once Open Palm with - Even a Fist Was Once Open Palm with

FingersFingers 19961996 The Selected Poetry of Yehuda Amichai: The Selected Poetry of Yehuda Amichai:

Newly Revised and Expanded EditionNewly Revised and Expanded Edition 20002000 Open Closed Open Open Closed Open

CommentaryCommentary Amichai was among the first to compose poems in Amichai was among the first to compose poems in

colloquial Israeli Hebrew. colloquial Israeli Hebrew. Helped create a modern Hebrew vernacular. This is similar Helped create a modern Hebrew vernacular. This is similar

to Dante (Italy) and Chaucer (England)to Dante (Italy) and Chaucer (England) Confronted contemporary issues.Confronted contemporary issues. Many of his poems are addressed to Jerusalem. Many of his poems are addressed to Jerusalem. His biography is closely tied to beginnings of Israel as a His biography is closely tied to beginnings of Israel as a

nation, in service to nation, in service to countrycountry as well as as well as languagelanguage Uses different levels of diction that do not translate wellUses different levels of diction that do not translate well

Bibliography, Cont.Bibliography, Cont. Awards include Awards include

The Israel Prize for Poetry (1982) The Israel Prize for Poetry (1982) The Balik Prize (1975)The Balik Prize (1975) The Shlonski Prize (1957)The Shlonski Prize (1957)

Wrote two novels: Wrote two novels: Not of This Time, Not of This Place (1963)Not of This Time, Not of This Place (1963) To Have a Dwelling Place (1971) To Have a Dwelling Place (1971)

Also wrote one play. Also wrote one play. Has extensive list of publications, most not translated into English.Has extensive list of publications, most not translated into English.

Israel’s First Literary Israel’s First Literary GenerationGeneration

Part of the first Literary generation of IsraelPart of the first Literary generation of Israel Commonalities: Commonalities:

Response to establishment of Israel Response to establishment of Israel Questioning of religious, ideological and cultural normsQuestioning of religious, ideological and cultural norms First generation to have Hebrew as their mother tongue.First generation to have Hebrew as their mother tongue. First post-holocaust generation of writers in HebrewFirst post-holocaust generation of writers in Hebrew Disillusionment Disillusionment Attention to inanimate details signify sense of isolation and alienation.Attention to inanimate details signify sense of isolation and alienation.

Poetic/Thematic ConcernsPoetic/Thematic Concerns

Viewed language as a means to a new beginning. Viewed language as a means to a new beginning. Themes:Themes:

Physical vs. SpiritualPhysical vs. Spiritual WarWar Love and LossLove and Loss Growth of individualism accompanied by loss of the cultural Growth of individualism accompanied by loss of the cultural

pastpast Passage of TimePassage of Time Relationship with his FatherRelationship with his Father GuiltGuilt DisillusionmentDisillusionment Journey (masa’)Journey (masa’)