Vizma Belševica

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vizma Belševica (May 31, 1931 - August 6, 2005) was a Latvian poetess, writer and translator. She was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

[edit] Biography

Belševica's father Jānis Belševics was a worker, but her mother Ieva Belševica (maiden name Cīrule) was a housewife. The family was relatively poor, as only one of the two spouses did paid work. Vizma's father had drinking problems, which had aggravated after he lost his bakery firm as a result of the impact of the Great Depression on the Latvian economy. He was forced to take on paid work to support the family. Vizma spent most of her childhood in Riga, the Latvian capital; the city does feature in her works, but the time spent in Courland, on her relatives' small farm has a much more prominent role in her poetry and writings.

[edit] Recognition

Receiving the Nobel prize was her childhood dream; she, as a poor but bright girl, spent much of her time reading classical literature. Belševica's work has been recognised: on December 6, 1990, she was elected honorary member of the Academy of Sciences of Latvia; she has twice received the Spīdola Prize, which is the highest recognition in Latvian literature. Belševica has also received the highest award of the Latvian State, namely the Three Star Award.

[edit] Works

Vizma Belševica is one of few Latvian writers whose works have been widely translated and published abroad. She began her career as a supporter of the Communist regime, but gradually learnt the extent of the damage it caused to her nation, both culturally and economically.