Svetlana Makarovič
Encyclopedia
Svetlana Makarovič is a Slovenian
writer
of prose, poetry, children's books, and picture books, and is also an actress, illustrator
and chanteuse .She has been called "The First Lady of Slovenian poetry." She is also noted for borrowing from Slovenian folklore to tell stories of rebellious and independent women. She won the Levstik Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2011.
. In early 1960s she began with study of various humanistic sciences (psihology, pedagogics, ethnology and foreign languages), she played piano in various cafes and for a short period she was a secretary and teacher for children with special needs. In 1968 she finished her study at Academy for Theatre, Radio, Film and Television. She was an actress in Ljubljana city Theatre and SNT Drama Ljubljana. She is a freelance writer since 1970 (Novak Popov: 2006).
She is well-known adult and youth author. Her works for youth have become a part of modern classic and youth canon, which both hold a special place in history of Slovenian youth literature (Blažić: 2009).
Her first poem collection called Somrak (Twilight) was published in 1964; This one (as well as her all other works in second half of 50's and early 60's) follows the dominating path of Slovenian lyric poetry, which is from intimism to modernism
. In a collection Kresna noč (1968) she expresses her personal poetics which is based on traditional poetic forms; To her folk poetry presents a new expression of existential crisis
of modern man. In the beginning of 70's her poetry became more harsh in terms of form. Tragical and balad mood is the prevailing one (example is collection of poems Bo žrl, bo žrt (1998) (translated: Will eat, will be eaten).
She peaked creatively in her collection Srčevec (1973) and anthology Izštevanja (1977) (Enciklopedija Slovenije, 1992: MAKAROVIČ, Svetlana). One of the latest collection of poems anthology of poems Samost was self-published in 2002.
Svetlana Makarovič writes majorly modern animal stories (picture books Pekarna Mišmaš (1974) and Sapramiška (1976), collections Take živalske (1973), Mačja preja (1992) and Veveriček posebne sorte (1994)), with primarily mythologically based main character, as well as fantastic fiction (Haramija: 2005). The protagonists are animals, living in a special world and who have similar characteristics as human (they talk and act like them). The reality in the stories is not idealised (cruel, selfish, envious people; gossips, grown-ups who limit children's playfulness ...) - The reasons why these animals go through moments of loneliness, despair and sadness. Noticeable innovation of her works are taboo
s (e.g. sex and elimination) (Novak Popov: 2006).
Škrat Kuzma dobi nagrado (1974) and Coprnica Zofka (1989) are regarded as stories with primarily mythologically based main character. Her stories point out, in its very core, not understanding and unexceptance of difference.
Representative fantastic stories are Kosovirja na leteči žlici (1974), Kam pa kam kosovirja? (1975) and Mi, kosovirji (2009); the storyteller is taking the side of free being and opposes rules and demands of authorities.
Some of her works were tape recorded (Pekarna Mišmaš (1976), Sapramiška (1986), Čuk na palici (1988), Mali kakadu (1989), Sovica Oka (1992) etc.).
s is very alike to the one in her poems. The difference is that in her chansons it is represented with more humor; It reaches in the field of modern family upbringing, social habits, moral norms and social conventions. She recorded a CD of her own interpretation of her chansons: Nočni šansoni; Dajdamski portreti (1998), Namesto rož (1999), Pelin žena (1999) (Novak Popov: 2006).
She also wrote lyrics for some evergreens: Mesto mladih , Na na na (Neca Falk), V Ljubljano (Marjana Deržaj) and intro song for a movie Sreča na vrvici (Marjeta Ramšak).
, Austria
, Mexico
, Australia
and Croatia
.
, which started to come out in 1982. Current political and ideological issues supposedly pushed out the art. She forbade publishment of her works in any anthologies or school books, based on her belief that her black and deathlike poetry would be a big reason that young people hate literature. She regards her works, not as national goods, but as a protected author property. She opposes communistic saying that art is for all people. She declined placing her in the Antologijo slovenskih pesnic 2 (Anthology of Slovenian female writers 2), because the criteria was gender and not quality (Novak Popov: 2006).
She expresses her criticism of her environment through columns. In 2000 she declined public reception of Prešernova nagrada (Prešeren Award).
Slovenceljni.
In satirical poems Pesmi o Sloveniji za tuje in domače goste (1984), she desintigrates mythicised self-image of Slovenians using quite witty irony. She portraits their image as narcissistic, primitive, aggressive on the inside, naive on the outside through travesty
of popular tale of Martin Krpan
and through allusion
on Holy Bible. She mocks the same image in her chansons, collected in Krizantema na klavirju (1990) (Novak Popov: 2006)
Slovenians
The Slovenes, Slovene people, Slovenians, or Slovenian people are a South Slavic people primarily associated with Slovenia and the Slovene language.-Population:Most Slovenes today live within the borders of the independent Slovenia...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
of prose, poetry, children's books, and picture books, and is also an actress, illustrator
Illustrator
An Illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text...
and chanteuse .She has been called "The First Lady of Slovenian poetry." She is also noted for borrowing from Slovenian folklore to tell stories of rebellious and independent women. She won the Levstik Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2011.
Biography
Makarovič finished secondary school for pre-school teachers in LjubljanaLjubljana
Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and its largest city. It is the centre of the City Municipality of Ljubljana. It is located in the centre of the country in the Ljubljana Basin, and is a mid-sized city of some 270,000 inhabitants...
. In early 1960s she began with study of various humanistic sciences (psihology, pedagogics, ethnology and foreign languages), she played piano in various cafes and for a short period she was a secretary and teacher for children with special needs. In 1968 she finished her study at Academy for Theatre, Radio, Film and Television. She was an actress in Ljubljana city Theatre and SNT Drama Ljubljana. She is a freelance writer since 1970 (Novak Popov: 2006).
She is well-known adult and youth author. Her works for youth have become a part of modern classic and youth canon, which both hold a special place in history of Slovenian youth literature (Blažić: 2009).
Adult poetry
She started publishing her works in magazines and newspapers in 1957. Her first poem V črnem tlaku was published in a magazine called Mlada pota (1952-1962). Other poems and magazines, in which she published are: Naša sodobnost (1953-1963) , Tribuna (1951-), Problemi (1962, 1963), Perspektive (1960-1964), Sodobnost (1963-) and Dialog.Her first poem collection called Somrak (Twilight) was published in 1964; This one (as well as her all other works in second half of 50's and early 60's) follows the dominating path of Slovenian lyric poetry, which is from intimism to modernism
Modernism
Modernism, in its broadest definition, is modern thought, character, or practice. More specifically, the term describes the modernist movement, its set of cultural tendencies and array of associated cultural movements, originally arising from wide-scale and far-reaching changes to Western society...
. In a collection Kresna noč (1968) she expresses her personal poetics which is based on traditional poetic forms; To her folk poetry presents a new expression of existential crisis
Existential crisis
An existential crisis is a stage of development at which an individual questions the very foundations of his or her life: whether his or her life has any meaning, purpose or value...
of modern man. In the beginning of 70's her poetry became more harsh in terms of form. Tragical and balad mood is the prevailing one (example is collection of poems Bo žrl, bo žrt (1998) (translated: Will eat, will be eaten).
She peaked creatively in her collection Srčevec (1973) and anthology Izštevanja (1977) (Enciklopedija Slovenije, 1992: MAKAROVIČ, Svetlana). One of the latest collection of poems anthology of poems Samost was self-published in 2002.
Youth poetry
She started releasing her youth works after 1970. In her prose works she developed her own individual style, which is known for its original naming of animals (coprnica Zofka, kokoška Emilija (chicken Emilija), pek Mišmaš (baker Mišmaš) and others). These animals have premeditated character with archetypical motive of leaving home, hurt child (Potepuh in nočna lučka), orphan child (Zajec gre na luno) (Blažić: 2009).Svetlana Makarovič writes majorly modern animal stories (picture books Pekarna Mišmaš (1974) and Sapramiška (1976), collections Take živalske (1973), Mačja preja (1992) and Veveriček posebne sorte (1994)), with primarily mythologically based main character, as well as fantastic fiction (Haramija: 2005). The protagonists are animals, living in a special world and who have similar characteristics as human (they talk and act like them). The reality in the stories is not idealised (cruel, selfish, envious people; gossips, grown-ups who limit children's playfulness ...) - The reasons why these animals go through moments of loneliness, despair and sadness. Noticeable innovation of her works are taboo
Taboo
A taboo is a strong social prohibition relating to any area of human activity or social custom that is sacred and or forbidden based on moral judgment, religious beliefs and or scientific consensus. Breaking the taboo is usually considered objectionable or abhorrent by society...
s (e.g. sex and elimination) (Novak Popov: 2006).
Škrat Kuzma dobi nagrado (1974) and Coprnica Zofka (1989) are regarded as stories with primarily mythologically based main character. Her stories point out, in its very core, not understanding and unexceptance of difference.
Representative fantastic stories are Kosovirja na leteči žlici (1974), Kam pa kam kosovirja? (1975) and Mi, kosovirji (2009); the storyteller is taking the side of free being and opposes rules and demands of authorities.
Some of her works were tape recorded (Pekarna Mišmaš (1976), Sapramiška (1986), Čuk na palici (1988), Mali kakadu (1989), Sovica Oka (1992) etc.).
Curriculum for Slovenian language at schools
We can find her works recommended in Curriculum for Slovene language (2011): Jaz sem jež, Čuk na palici, Pismo, Sovica Oka, Papagaj in sir, Zajček gre na luno, Razvajeni vrabček, Pod medvedovim dežnikom, Jazbec in ovčka, Prašičkov koncert, Pekarna Mišmaš, Coprnica Zofka, Kosovirja na leteči žlici, Miška spi, Volk in sedem kozličkov, Kam pa kam, kosovirja, Jutro.Musician
She published some chanson books, e.g. Chrysanthemum on piano (1990); She performed (with her own works) on author musical recitals before invitation-only audience. The subject of her chansonChanson
A chanson is in general any lyric-driven French song, usually polyphonic and secular. A singer specialising in chansons is known as a "chanteur" or "chanteuse" ; a collection of chansons, especially from the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, is also known as a chansonnier.-Chanson de geste:The...
s is very alike to the one in her poems. The difference is that in her chansons it is represented with more humor; It reaches in the field of modern family upbringing, social habits, moral norms and social conventions. She recorded a CD of her own interpretation of her chansons: Nočni šansoni; Dajdamski portreti (1998), Namesto rož (1999), Pelin žena (1999) (Novak Popov: 2006).
She also wrote lyrics for some evergreens: Mesto mladih , Na na na (Neca Falk), V Ljubljano (Marjana Deržaj) and intro song for a movie Sreča na vrvici (Marjeta Ramšak).
Cooperation with LGL (Ljubljana puppet theatre)
Her work named Sovica Oka was introduced in 1972 on the stage of Lutkovno gledališče Ljubljana. Sapramiška is a puppet show which was played most times. It was first performed in October 17. 1986. Svetlana Makarovič cooperated with LGL in many ways - she wrote and put music to lyrics; wrote and adapted text, made the designs for puppets and sets; she even performed sometimes. She played a part in 31 shows; she was a host in ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
.
Selection of stage acts from Svetlana Makarovič
- Sovica Oka, 1972 (author and adaptation) (Oka the owl)
- Hiša tete Barbare, 1975 (author) (Aunt Barbara's house)
- Pekarna Mišmaš, 1977 (author, text adaptation) (Mišmaš bakery)
- Igra o letu, 1983 (author) (The flying game)
- Mačja prodajalna, 1984 (author, music, role) (Cat store)
- Mrtvec pride po ljubico, 1986 (author) (Dead man comes for his mistress)
- Sapramiška, 1986 (author, roles /Sapramiška, Regica, aunt Grizelda/, music) (Street Mouse)
- Mi, kosovirji, 1988 (author, text adaptation) (We, the kosovirs)
- Korenčkov Palček, 1989 (author, roles /Sapramiška, Kukavec, Regica, Belouška Jarmila/, music, puppet design) (Carrot dwarf)
- Gal med lutkami, 1992 (author, music, puppet design) (Gal among puppets)
- Medena pravljica, 1994 (direction, author,vloge /Sapramiška, Regica, Zajček/, glasba, likovna zasnova lutk, likovna zasnova scen) (Honey fairy tale)
- Jólakötturinn, 1997 (direction, translation and adaptation of text, song texts, adaptation of Iceland music motifs, music performance, roles (Jartruda, Mačkursson, Gryla)
- Kokoška Emilija, 1997 (direction, author, role /kokoška Kika/, music, music arrangement) (Chicken Emilija)
- Tacamuca, 1998 (author, music) (Catty Paw)
Critisism of Slovenian society
Svetlana Makarovič has quitted Društvo slovenskih pisateljev, because she disagreed the standards for allocation of membership. She believed that the quality should be primary standard, not quantity. She defied official publishers, claiming they only exploit authors. Beside that she strived for social rights of freelance artists. She stood up for founding of a new, opened to pluralism and only-literature dedicated magazine (1980), but she did not cooperate with Nova revijaNova revija
Nova revija is a Slovenian publishing house and cultural institute that developed from the literary journal with the same name.- The magazine :...
, which started to come out in 1982. Current political and ideological issues supposedly pushed out the art. She forbade publishment of her works in any anthologies or school books, based on her belief that her black and deathlike poetry would be a big reason that young people hate literature. She regards her works, not as national goods, but as a protected author property. She opposes communistic saying that art is for all people. She declined placing her in the Antologijo slovenskih pesnic 2 (Anthology of Slovenian female writers 2), because the criteria was gender and not quality (Novak Popov: 2006).
She expresses her criticism of her environment through columns. In 2000 she declined public reception of Prešernova nagrada (Prešeren Award).
Slovenceljni
Svetlana Makarovič perceives image of Slovenians as cold-hearted, primitive, hipocritical and servile. She calls them with newspeakNewspeak
Newspeak is a fictional language in George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. In the novel, it refers to the deliberately impoverished language promoted by the state. Orwell included an essay about it in the form of an appendix in which the basic principles of the language are explained...
Slovenceljni.
In satirical poems Pesmi o Sloveniji za tuje in domače goste (1984), she desintigrates mythicised self-image of Slovenians using quite witty irony. She portraits their image as narcissistic, primitive, aggressive on the inside, naive on the outside through travesty
Travesty
Travesty is an English word used to denote generally an absurd or grotesque misrepresentation, a parody or stylistic imitation, a grossly inferior imitation.In literary or theatrical contexts it may also refer to:...
of popular tale of Martin Krpan
Martin Krpan
Martin Krpan is a fictional character created on the basis of the Inner Carniolan oral tradition by the 19th-century Slovene writer Fran Levstik in the short story Martin Krpan from Vrh...
and through allusion
Allusion
An allusion is a figure of speech that makes a reference to, or representation of, people, places, events, literary work, myths, or works of art, either directly or by implication. M. H...
on Holy Bible. She mocks the same image in her chansons, collected in Krizantema na klavirju (1990) (Novak Popov: 2006)
Adult poetry
- Somrak, Cankarjeva založba, 1964 (Twilight)
- Kresna noč, DZS, 1968 (Midsummer night)
- Volčje jagode, Obzorja, 1972 (Wolfberries)
- Srčevec, Cankarjeva založba 1973
- Pelin žena, Mladinska knjiga, 1974 (Absynthe wife)
- Vojskin čas (pesniški list), Založništvo Tržaškega tiska, 1974 (Time of the Army)
- Izštevanja, Cankarjeva založba, 1977 (Count out)
- Pesmi (besedila sodobnih jugoslovanskih pisateljev / Svetlana Makarovič, Niko Grafenauer, Tomaž Šalamun), Mladinska knjiga, 1979 (Poems)
- Sosed gora, Obzorja, 1980 (Neighbour mountain)
- Pesmi o Sloveniji za tuje in domače goste, Lutkovno gledališče, 1984 (Poems of Slovenia for foreign and domestic guests)
- Svetlana Makarovič, France Mihelič - Pesmi Svetlane Makarovič in Risbe Franceta Miheliča, Cankarjeva založba, 1987
- Krizantema na klavirju. Šansonska besedila Svetlane Makarovič, Printing, 1990 (Chrysanthemum on piano)
- Tisti čas, Mladika, 1993 (That time)
- Bo žrl, bo žrt (izbrane pesmi), Mladinska knjiga 1998 (Will eat, will be eaten)
- Samost, samozaložba, 2002 (Aloneness)
Adult prose
- Prekleti kadilci, Center za slovensko književnost, 2001 (Damn smokers)
- S krempljem podčrtano, Center za slovensko književnost, 2005 (Underlined with a claw)
- Saga o Hallgerd, Arsem, 2010 (The Hallger Saga)
Youth literature
- Maček Titi, Samozaložba, 1980 (Titi the Cat)
- Gal v galeriji, Mladinska knjiga, 1981 (Gal in the gallery)
- Dedek mraz že gre, Lutkovno gledališče, 1982 (Dedek Mraz is coming)
- Krokodilovo kosilo: pesnitev - grozovitev, samozaložba, 1983 (Crocodile lunch: poem - dreadness)
- Čuk na palici, Delavska enotnost, 1986 (Owl on the stick)
- Črni muc, kaj delaš?, Dokumentarna, 1987 (Black cat, what are you doing?)
- Kaj bi miška rada?, Dokumentarna, 1987 (What would a mouse want?)
- Poprtnjački, Dokumentarna, 1988 (Clothers)
- Kaj lepega povej, DZS, 1993 (Tell me something nice)
- Show strahov: pesnitev grozovitev, DZS, 1995 (The fear show: poem - dreadness)
- Veliki kosovirski koncert, Lutkovno gledališče, 2001 (The grand kosovirian concert)
- Strahec v galeriji, Narodna galerija, 2003 (Spook in the gallery)
- Mačnice, Center za slovensko književnost, 2006 (Catters)
- Coprniški muc: pesnitev coprnitev, Miš, 2008 (Witchy Cat: poem of witcherness)
Prose and poetry works
- Kosovirja na leteči žlici, Mladinska knjiga, 1974 (Kosovirs and flying spoon)
- Kam pa kam, kosovirja?, DZS, 1975 (Where to, Kosovirs?)
- Mačje leto, Dokumentarna, 1987 (Year of the Cat)
- Zajčkovo leto, Državna založba Slovenije, 1993 (Year of the bunny)
- Mi, kosovirji, Miš, 2009 (We, the Kosovirs)
Storytelling for youth
Fairy tale collections- Miška spi, Mladinska knjiga, 1972 ((Sleepin mouse)
- Take živalske, Borec, 1973 (Those beastlies)
- Vrček se razbije, Mladinska knjiga, 1975 ((Jug is broken)
- Glavni petelinček, Mladinska knjiga, 1976 ((The chief rooster)
- Vrtirepov koledar: 1977, Partizanska knjiga, 1976 ((Tailwhippers calendar)
- Pravljice iz mačje preje, Borec, 1980 ((Cat yarn fairy tales)
- Mačja preja, Mladika, 1992 ((Cat yarn)
- Smetiščni muc in druge zgodbe, Mladinska knjiga, 1999 ((The garbage tomcat and other stories)
- Svetlanine pravljice = Svetlana's fairytales, Miš, 2008 ((Svetlana's fairytales)
Author translations and adaptions
- Picko in Packo, translation of Wilhelm BuschWilhelm BuschWilhelm Busch was an influential German caricaturist, painter, and poet who is famed for his satirical picture stories with rhymed texts....
picture book Max und Moritz, Založništvo tržaškega tiska, 1980 - Maček Mačkursson, translation of works of Jólakötturinn Hallveig Thorlacius, Mladinska knjiga, 1997
- Strahopetko, translation of Fünfter sein Ernst Jandl, Mladinska knjiga, Ljubljana, 1999
Albums
- Pelin žena (skupaj z Dennisom GonzalezomDennis GonzálezDennis González is a jazz musician, poet, visual artist and music educator based in Dallas, Texas....
) (1986) - Nočni šansoni; Dajdamski portreti (1998)
- Namesto rož (1999)
Recognition awards
- 2011, Naziv častne meščanke Ljubljane
Awards
- 1968, Yugoslavian award Sterijino pozorjeSterijino pozorjeSterijino pozorje is a festival of performances created on the basis of the national drama heritage and today is one of the most important theatre institutions in Serbia....
and Novi Sad, 1968 - 1973, 1975 (for pesniški list Vojskin čas), 2011 (for life's work) Levstik Award
- 1975, Yugoslavian award Zmajeve dječje igre
- 1976, (for pesniški list Vojskin čas), Prešeren awardPrešeren AwardPrešeren Award is the highest decoration in the field of artistic and in the past also scientific creation in Slovenia awarded each year to one or two eminent Slovene artists...
- 1987, Janusz Korczak Honour List
- 1994, Jenko AwardJenko AwardThe Jenko Award is a literary award in Slovenia awarded each year for the best poetry collection in Slovene published in the previous two years. It has been bestowed since 1986 by the Slovene Writers' Association....
- 1994, IBBY Honour List
- 1998, 2000, 2002 nomination for Andersen award
- 2000, Prešeren AwardPrešeren AwardPrešeren Award is the highest decoration in the field of artistic and in the past also scientific creation in Slovenia awarded each year to one or two eminent Slovene artists...
- 2002, viktor for life's work
- 2009, Zlati red za zasluge Republike Slovenije
External links
- Alojz Ihan, intervju: Svetlana Makarovič, Sodobnost (1963-), 1996, letnik 44, številka 5
- Katalena
- LGL, Sapramiška
- LGL, Šuško
- Mladina, 17. januar 2005 Biografska skica, »Svetlana Makarovič, Tista prva dama slovenske poezije, ki rada šokira«, 2005, Urška Matos
- Svetlana Makarovič o njenih pravljicah in junakih, youtube
- Svetlana Makarovič, Norci so zunaj, youtube
- Svetlana Makarovič, Pozdravljena luna, youtube
- Svet...svet...Svetlana, razstava v NUK-u ob 70. letnici rojstva
- Vest, Denis pokora - Pogovor s pisateljico in pesnico Svetlano Makarovič, 2009