Spring Shoots
Young Belarusian Poets in the Early Twenty-First Century

Arnold McMillin

Publications of the Modern Humanities Research Association 19

Modern Humanities Research Association

1 October 2015  •  200pp

ISBN: 978-1-781882-27-6 (hardback)  •  RRP £32.99, $46.99, €43.99

ISBN: 978-1-781882-58-0 (JSTOR ebook)

ISBN: 978-1-781882-59-7 (EBSCO ebook)

Access online: Books@JSTOR

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Spring Shoots introduces individually the early work of two score young Belarusian poets, all of whom began writing after the start of the present regime. This is the first such survey in any language, including Belarusian.

All poetic illustrations are cited in the original and accompanied by English prose translations. The poets’ work is presented in eight loosely thematic groups: the historical heritage, religion, protest at alienation and repression, use and defence of the language, the lyrical impulse, humour, performance poetry and the theme of writing itself and poetic inspiration. Also very important in these poems are the joys and tribulations of love.

By using the Belarusian language, the poets are helping to save it from decades of erosion and official devaluation, so that their discussion of it is often poignant, particularly as language is a central part of the also suppressed historical heritage. Other types of verse such as humorous, lyrical or that for performance, are less central to the Belarusian situation, but the angry and bitter protest poems serve as perhaps a release valve, as small editions of poems are far less conspicuous than the expression of such feelings on the street, which always meets bitter reprisals.

Reviews:

  • Spring Shoots is a highly engaging and stimulating book written by a scholar with an infectious enthusiasm for his subject.’ — Jim Dingley, Slavonic and East European Review 94, 2016, 527 (full text online)
  • ‘This collection illustrates a meticulous approach, significant effort, dedication and passion for Belarusian verse. By bringing together the work of Belarusian poets, which is not always easy to find, especially for specialists from abroad, McMillin has produced a unique volume within post-Soviet literature which should inspire readers to read more works by these young poets, who are convincingly carving a distinct niche in future Belarusian poetic culture.’ — Galina Miazhevich, Slavic Review 75.4, Winter 2016, 1020-21

Contents:

i-iv
Front Matter
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v-vi
Table of Contents
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vii-viii
Preface
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1-2
Introduction
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3-5
: Biographical Data
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6-22
Chapter 1 the Historical Heritage
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23-59
Chapter 2 Religion and Various Forms of Piety
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60-94
Chapter 3 Protest at Repression and Alienation
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95-109
Chapter 4 Use and Defence of the Language
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110-122
Chapter 5 the Lyrical Impulse
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123-147
Chapter 6 Humour
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148-157
Chapter 7 Performance Poetry
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158-184
Chapter 8 Writers and Poetic Inspiration
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185-185
Epilogue
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186-188
Bibliography
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189-192
INDEX OF NAMES
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Bibliography entry:

McMillin, Arnold, Spring Shoots: Young Belarusian Poets in the Early Twenty-First Century, Publications of the Modern Humanities Research Association, 19 (MHRA, 2015)

First footnote reference: 35 Arnold McMillin, Spring Shoots: Young Belarusian Poets in the Early Twenty-First Century, Publications of the Modern Humanities Research Association, 19 (MHRA, 2015), p. 21.

Subsequent footnote reference: 37 McMillin, p. 47.

(To see how these citations were worked out, follow this link.)

Bibliography entry:

McMillin, Arnold. 2015. Spring Shoots: Young Belarusian Poets in the Early Twenty-First Century, Publications of the Modern Humanities Research Association, 19 (MHRA)

Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (McMillin 2015: 21).

Example footnote reference: 35 McMillin 2015: 21.

(To see how these citations were worked out, follow this link.)


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