‘Passio’ launched at the University Library

On December 6th a new collection of translations from the work of one of Hungary’s greatest poets will be launched at the University Library’s West Road building.

Pilinszky is different. Everybody is different but some are even more so. Pilinszky is more different in that way in Hungarian poetry and within poetry as such; that is, he is different in fact, he is genuinely different, deeply deviant, rare and improbable, a white antelope, an element beyond the periodic table. When he walked down the street, one of those dark Budapest streets of the fifties, in his short coat, too tight around the shoulders, he walked like a persecuted legend. That is just what he was. A persecuted legend, pushed out of literature and completely unknown; perhaps fellow-dwellers in the catacombs whispered his name, passing it from mouth to mouth and ear to ear."
—Agnes Nemes Nagy

’Passio’, consisting of fourteen poems by János Pilinszky translated by Clive Wilmer and George Gömöri, is published by the Worple Press. Admission to the launch event is free, and readings from the book by the translators will be accompanied by a display of items from the University Library’s manuscript collections associated with the translation of modern Hungarian poetry.

Born in Budapest in 1921, Pilinszky studied law, Art History and Hungarian literature at university before abandoning his studies to pursue poetry. His first work was published in 1938 in various literary magazines.  In 1944 Pilinszky was drafted into the Army were his unit was promptly ordered to take part in the march west from the Russian front. The conditions of various prison camps throughout Germany deeply impacted on/influenced Pilinszky’s subsequent work. As a result, “KZ oratory” and “Passion of Ravensbrück” are examples of Pilinszky’s experiences at this time.

After the war Pilinszky published a new collection entitled: “Trapeze and Bars” which was awarded the Baumgarten prize in 1947. As a result Pilinszky became the leader of the new age of Hungarian poets which garnered negative attention from Hungary’s ruling Communist party who labelled the poet as ’pessimistic’. It would be 10 years before Pilinszky would publish another collection of his work.

János Pilinszky was a private individual, and his poetry focussed on the metaphysical, the apocalyptic and Catholic faith. Fellow Hungarian poet Agnes Nemes Nagy said of Pilinszky “Pilinszky is different. Everybody is different but some are even more so. Pilinszky is more different in that way in Hungarian poetry and within poetry as such; that is, he is different in fact, he is genuinely different, deeply deviant, rare and improbable, a white antelope, an element beyond the periodic table. When he walked down the street, one of those dark Budapest streets of the fifties, in his short coat, too tight around the shoulders, he walked like a persecuted legend. That is just what he was. A persecuted legend, pushed out of literature and completely unknown; perhaps fellow-dwellers in the catacombs whispered his name, passing it from mouth to mouth and ear to ear.”

In the 60’s Pilinszky travelled throughout Europe and the United States, taking part in various readings. In 1971 he was awarded the József Attila Prize for his collection “Metropolitan Icons”. His last collection entitled "Crater" was published in 1975. Pilinszky was awarded the Kossuth Prize, the most prestigious cultural award in Hungary, in 1980. In May 1981, Pilinszky died after suffering a heart attack in Budapest at the age of 59.

The launch will take place in the Library’ Morison Room on December 6^th, beginning at 5pm with readings from 5:30.  ’Passio’ is the sixth collaboration for translators George Gömöri and Clive Wilmer.

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Pilinszky is different. Everybody is different but some are even more so. Pilinszky is more different in that way in Hungarian poetry and within poetry as such; that is, he is different in fact, he is genuinely different, deeply deviant, rare and improbable, a white antelope, an element beyond the periodic table. When he walked down the street, one of those dark Budapest streets of the fifties, in his short coat, too tight around the shoulders, he walked like a persecuted legend. That is just what he was. A persecuted legend, pushed out of literature and completely unknown; perhaps fellow-dwellers in the catacombs whispered his name, passing it from mouth to mouth and ear to ear."