George Bacovia - one of the most appreciated Romanian poets

George Bacovia is one of the most important Romanian symbolist poets. He was born on the 4th of September, 1881, and died on the 22nd of May 1957. Although he was a very timid and modest person, today he is one of the most appreciated Romanian poets.

He had 8 brothers, and was born to a father who was insensitive to art, but also to a mother who did her best to give all of her children a good education. She paid special attention to Iorguţ (the poet’s nickname), who was a sensitive character and who demonstrated artistic talent from a very early age.

George Bacovia was not a remarkable student in his early years. He struggled through high school, managing to graduate only at the age of 22. The situation was not very different in college. He enrolled at the Law School in Bucharest but didn’t finish it. Then he enrolled at the Law School in Iasi which he did finish, but without submitting his bachelor’s thesis and only at the age of 30. Yet, his poetic genius is uncontested.

Bacovia was a tormented soul and suffered quietly throughout his life time. He had a series of modest jobs due to his inconstant and sickly nature, which didn’t allow him to keep daily employment.

One event that took place when he was a child marked him so profoundly, that it later inspired a very moving poem of his. The event was that he accidentally got locked overnight in the local church, and poem is called “Violet dusk” (Amurg violet), which was published in the volume “Lead” (Plumb).

The poem describes a deserted town that becomes gradually engulfed in the color violet. The motif of the dusk, being repeated over and over suggests a world located at the point where day and night are fraying for dominion, before the light finally gives in. It also suggests a period of uncertainty, where neither time, nor space, nor shapes are clearly defined.

There are images of solitude, like the “Two poplars, in the background, in silhouette”, which are likened to apostles. The people are lazy and frivolous, creating a world that suffocates the sensitive nature of the poet. A world headed inexorably for decomposition, without the possibility of redemption.

Sources:

istoria.md/articol/537/George_Bacovia__George_Vasiliu_,_biografie

http://www.ziarulmetropolis.ro/11-11-lucruri-pe-care-nu-le-stiati-despre-george-bacovia/