Yehuda Amichai Israeli Author Presentation by Charles Hubbard

If I forget thee, Jerusalem, Then let my right be forgotten. Let my right be forgotten, and my left remember. Let my left remember, and your right close And your mouth open near the gate. (from ‘ If I Forget Thee, Jerusalem')

Short Biography Born in W ü rzburg Germany 1924, died 2000 in Jerusalem. Born in W ü rzburg Germany 1924, died 2000 in Jerusalem emigrated to Israel emigrated to Israel World War II -Fought with the Jewish Brigade of the British Army World War II -Fought with the Jewish Brigade of the British 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 Independence Fought in the War of Independence Attended Hebrew University and then taught in secondary schools. Attended Hebrew University and then taught in secondary schools.

Bio, cont. Amichai's first volume of poetry, Achshav Uve-Yamim HaAharim, “ Now and in Other Days ” was published in 1955 and was awarded the Shlonski Prize in Amichai's first volume of poetry, Achshav Uve-Yamim HaAharim, “ Now and in Other Days ” was published in 1955 and was awarded the Shlonski Prize in He published consistently until his death. He published consistently until his death. He is the most widely translated Hebrew poet since King David. He is the most widely translated Hebrew poet since King David. Introduced to English readers by the American poet Ted Hughes. Introduced to English readers by the American poet Ted 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 poetry: 1955 Now and in Other Days 1955 Now and in Other Days 1963 Not of This Time, Not of This Place 1963 Not of This Time, Not of This Place 1973 Songs of Jerusalem and Myself 1973 Songs of Jerusalem and Myself 1978 Amen 1978 Amen 1979 On New Year's Day, Next to a House Being Built 1979 On New Year's Day, Next to a House Being Built 1981 Love Poems (bilingual ed.) 1981 Love Poems (bilingual ed.) Selected Bibliography

Bibliography – Cont Great Tranquility: Questions and Answers 1983 Great Tranquility: Questions and Answers 1984 The World is a Room (short stories) 1984 The World is a Room (short stories) 1988 – Poems of Jerusalem 1988 – Poems of Jerusalem Even a Fist Was Once Open Palm with Fingers Even a Fist Was Once Open Palm with Fingers 1996 The Selected Poetry of Yehuda Amichai: Newly Revised and Expanded Edition 1996 The Selected Poetry of Yehuda Amichai: Newly Revised and Expanded Edition 2000 Open Closed Open 2000 Open Closed Open

Commentary Amichai was among the first to compose poems in colloquial Israeli Hebrew. Amichai was among the first to compose poems in colloquial Israeli Hebrew. Helped create a modern Hebrew vernacular. This is similar to Dante (Italy) and Chaucer (England) Helped create a modern Hebrew vernacular. This is similar 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 nation, in service to country as well as language His biography is closely tied to beginnings of Israel as a nation, in service to country as well as language Uses different levels of diction that do not translate well Uses different levels of diction that do not translate well

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 Generation Part of the first Literary generation of Israel Part 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 norms Questioning 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 Hebrew First 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 Concerns Viewed language as a means to a new beginning. Viewed language as a means to a new beginning. Themes: Themes: Physical vs. Spiritual Physical vs. Spiritual War War Love and Loss Love and Loss Growth of individualism accompanied by loss of the cultural past Growth of individualism accompanied by loss of the cultural past Passage of Time Passage of Time Relationship with his Father Relationship with his Father Guilt Guilt Disillusionment Disillusionment Journey (masa’) Journey (masa’)