Tematiskās un saturiskās tendences latviešu dzejnieku debijas krājumos 20. gadsimta 60. gados

Abstract

In the 1960s, the spectrum of themes in Latvian poetry expanded. During this decade, more than thirty authors release their first collection of poems. Contextually, a large part is still taken up by ideologically engaged themes. This applies to both poetry in general and specifically 1960s debut poem collections. The characteristic themes influenced by the ideology are: the interpretation of the events of World War II, the formation of Soviet life, the admiration of science and technological advancements, depictions of the bad non-socialist “Pre-Soviet” past, criticism towards the capitalist world, praise for the revolutionary processes and personalities from abroad, the motif of friendship between the Soviet socialist republics and the peoples of other socialist countries, et al. However, the distancing from the principles of socialist realism and propaganda is used via different routes: by recognizing one’s local identity, emphasizing the theme of nature, daring to express intimate lyrics, echoing cultural personalities around the world. The attitude of the opposition towards the regime is only possible in subtexts and free-minded associations. The attempt to reveal the problems and negative aspects of Soviet life can be seen in several debut poets’ works. Less ideologized poetry appears in the first books by Aivars Neibarts, Nora Kalna, Egils Plaudis. Already in her very first works, Ārija Elksne writes poetry mostly about her individual experience. Nevertheless, the 1960s poetry written by debut poets is mostly integrated within the Soviet ideological system.