Today a famous Soviet and Russian poet, "the last hero" of the "poets of the sixties" pleiad, Yevgeny Yevtushenko, marks his 80th birthday.

      Almost every poetry lover knows his name very well. Yevtushenko's poetry became a great event not only in Russian literary life but also in the whole society. He visited all the continents and write verses about every country he saw.

      A literary superstar in Russia since his teens, he attracted stadium crowds of up to 30,000 for his poetry readings. He tried himself as an actor, director, screenwriter and political activist, though he soon realized his incompatibility with political career. And his passion for life includes filling significant parts of it in the company of women and good wine. Many of his verses were set to music and called symbols of the epoch, and his life was music and poetry itself.

      In spite of such popularity, Yevtusenko is still one of the most debatable Russian authors. Many people still wonder at his ability to avoid notorious Soviet repressions and to continue speaking in support of poets disliked by Soviet authorities. The version about some friends in court is still popular, though Yevtushenko never confirmed or denied it.

      He lives in Oklahoma state, U.S., delivers lectures about Russian literature at the University of the city of Talsa and tries to visit Russia as often as possible. Traditionally on his birthday Yevtushenko reads his verses in the Polytechnic Museum in Moscow, but this year he failed to come because of his health recovery after surgery.

      But the main celebration is in future, as the "Russian World" publishing house plans to issue three volumes of Yevtushenko's best poetry and to held an official presentation in one of the largest Moscow concert halls.

      Yevgeny Yevtushenko's poetry in English

      

      Image: calend.ru