The famous Russian symbolist and classic of Silver Age literature Konstantin Balmont is famous not only for his poetic works, 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 Gumnischi, in the Vladimir province. Here he lived until ten years. Balmont's father was at first a judge, and then led the Zemstvo administration. The mother instilled a love of literature for the boy. Kostya did not like formal schooling, he liked to read more.
Balmont was expelled from the Shui gymnasium for revolutionary moods. He had to transfer 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 unrest.
On the road to great creativity
The first poems Balmont wrote at the age of ten years. However, the critical attitude of the mother to his early work for a long time discouraged the boy from the desire to continue versification. For the next six years, he did not write poetry. His first poetic works were published in 1885 in the magazine "Picturesque Review", published in St. Petersburg.
A little later Balmont became interested in translations. But the unsuccessful first marriage and critical financial situation brought the poet out of emotional balance. He tried to commit suicide by jumping out of a window. Balmont miraculously survived. Having received serious injuries, Konstantin spent a long time in bed. However, the year, which turned out to be so unfortunate in personal terms, was a breakthrough in creativity.
The greatest flowering of Balmont's creative inspiration came in the 90s of the XIX century. He reads voraciously, studies languages, and tries to travel. In 1894, Balmont translated The History of Scandinavian Literature, then proceeded to translate the 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 journal "Libra" and in the publishing house "Scorpion".
In 1896, Balmont married a second time. After that he makes a trip to Europe, gives lectures on poetry in England. In 1903, his collection “Let Us Be Like the Sun” was published, which brought the author extremely great success. At the beginning of 1905, Konstantin Dmitrievich left Russia again, he traveled to Mexico, then went to California.
Konstantin Balmont took an active part in the revolutionary events of 1905-1907. His fiery speeches in front of the defenders of the barricades led people into battle. Fearing arrest, the poet is forced to leave the country and sent for a long time to Paris.
