Born in 1982, Blandiana (born Otilia Valeria Coman) is a representative of the so-called neo-modernists, a 1960s generation of poets who rejected the doctrine of proletarian art and sought inspiration in the literary tradition of the inter-war period.
In a press release, the Zbigniew Herbert Foundation writes that “Blandiana’s work – deeply imbedded in the tragic history of the Eastern Block – is a courageous and uncompromising voice of resistance against totalitarianism and of a faith in the victory of the world of values.”
The Foundation adds that “Blandiana’s poems are not only a testimony to the fight for truth, dignity and justice, but also a reminder of the poet’s moral duty, particularly in difficult times, her verse closely reflecting the Herbertian understanding of art as a domain of universal virtues and ethical attitudes, which should be defended against all odds.”
In her remarks, Bandiana said that despite a generational gap, Herbert remains very close to her because of an affinity of fate. ”He climbed the Golgotha of the fight against censorship before I did, treading perhaps a much steeper slope, but the aesthetic mechanisms of resistance were the same, as were the forms of repression which were not able to break us,” she said.
The award presentation ceremony is due to be held in Warsaw on May 27.
An outspoken opponent of the communist regime, Blandiana was dubbed Romania’s Joan d’Arc. In 1959-1964, 1985, and 1988-1989 her work was subjected to a publishing ban.
Following the Romanian Revolution of 1989 and the overthrow of the Ceausescu regime, Bandiana set up the Civic Alliance Foundation, a non-partisan movement aimed to alleviate the aftermath of more than five decades of communist regime in Romania.
Her distinctions include the French Legion of Honour, the Austrian Herder Prize, Canada’s Griffin Poetry Prize, and the Princess of Asturia Literary Prize.
In addition to poetry, Bandiana’s output comprises books of essays and prose. Her works have been translated into more than 15 languages.
Zbigniew Herbert, pictured in 1963. Photo: PAP/Cezary Langda
Conferred since 2013, the Zbigniew Herbert International Literary Prize recognizes outstanding artistic and intellectual achievements inspired by the values and ideals which were championed by Herbert.
Born in 1924, Herbert was among the most influential Polish poets, essayists and moralists. His most popular works include Pan Cogito (Mr. Cogito), Struna światła (The Chord of Light), Hermes, pies i gwiazda (Hermes, Dog and Star), and Barbarzyńca w ogrodzie (The Barbarian in the Garden). An anti-communist, Herbert gave his wholehearted support to the Solidarity movement. After the imposition of martial law in December 1981, his poems were recited at clandestine Solidarity meetings. His works have been translated into 40 languages. He died in 1998.
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