The famous Russian symbolist and classic of the Silver Age literature Konstantin Balmont is famous not only for his poetry, but also for his translations. His creative heritage is diverse. Balmont left behind many collections of poems, essays and articles.
From the biography of Konstantin Balmont
Konstantin Dmitrievich Balmont was born on June 15, 1867. The place of his birth was the village of Gumnishchi, in the Vladimir province. Here he lived until he was ten. Balmont's father was at first a judge, and then headed the Zemstvo Council. His mother instilled in the boy a love of literature. Kostya did not like formal schooling, he liked to read more.
Balmont was expelled from the Shuya gymnasium for revolutionary sentiments. He had to be transferred to Vladimir, where he studied until 1886. After that, the young man entered Moscow University, deciding to become a lawyer. But the study did not last long. Balmont was expelled for participating in student riots.
Towards great creativity
Balmont wrote his first poems at the age of ten. However, the critical attitude of his mother to his early work for a long time discouraged the boy from continuing his versification. For the next six years he did not write poetry. His first poetic works were published in 1885 in the Zhivopisnoe Obozreniye magazine, published in St. Petersburg.
Later Balmont became interested in translations. But an unsuccessful first marriage and a critical financial situation took the poet out of his peace of mind. He tried to commit suicide by throwing himself out of the window. Balmont miraculously survived. Having received serious injuries, Konstantin spent a long time in bed. However, the year, which turned out to be so unsuccessful on a personal level, became a breakthrough in creativity.
The greatest flowering of Balmont's creative inspiration fell on the 90s of the XIX century. He reads avidly, studies languages, tries to travel. In 1894, Balmont translated The History of Scandinavian Literature, then began to translate a work on the history of Italian literature.
At the same time, a collection of his works "Under the Northern Sky" was published. Konstantin Dmitrievich published his works in the Libra magazine and in the Scorpion publishing house.
In 1896 Balmont married for the second time. After that, he toured Europe, lectured on poetry in England. In 1903, his collection Let's Be Like the Sun was published, which brought the author extremely great success. At the beginning of 1905, Konstantin Dmitrievich again left Russia, he traveled to Mexico, then went to California.
Constantin Balmont took an active part in the revolutionary events of 1905-1907. His fiery speeches to the defenders of the barricades led the people into battle. Fearing arrest, the poet was forced to leave the country and went to Paris for a long time.
Balmont's last emigration
The poor health of his third wife and daughter forced Balmont in 1920 to leave for France once again. After that, the poet never returned to Russia. In France, Balmont publishes several more poetry collections and a book of autobiographical essays.
Konstantin Balmont acutely yearned for Russia and many times regretted leaving it. The poet's contradictory feelings were reflected in his works. It was getting harder and harder to live abroad. Health deteriorated, there was not enough money. Soon the poet was diagnosed with a mental illness. Living in almost complete poverty on the outskirts of Paris, Balmont no longer wrote anything, but only re-read old books.
In December 1942, Konstantin Dmitrievich died in an orphanage near Paris from pneumonia.
