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Fridav. April 26. 1991 / University Daily Kansan
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Poet says political struggles make writing poetry difficult
By Patricia Rojas
Soviet poet Oleg Chukhontsev waits for saturated solutions to turn into crystals.
Soviet writer-in-residence departs
By Patricia Rej Kansan staff writer
"When I have an overdose of impressions, it's good for me to put a distance between me and those ideas for the time being." Chukhontsev said yesterday through an interpreter. "Then a crystal will form and fall out even without any effort from me."
Chukhtontsey, Moscow resident, has spent the past three weeks at the University of Kansas giving poetry readings and lectures. He is scheduled to leave today for Stanford University.
Chukhouten's visit to KU was organized as part of the Soviet writer in residence program through the work of Slavic languages and literatures.
Gerald Mikkelson, program director, said that about 26 Soviet writers had visited KU since he founded the program in 1975.
He said Chukhontsew was one of the four most gifted living Russian poets.
four most gifted living Russian poets. For Chukhoutkho, writing poetry during a time in which the Soviet Union is undergoing so many political, social and economic changes is not easy.
He said those struggles had affected the political effectiveness of
"This is perhaps the most unfair time of all for poets, because we are constantly distracted by political struggles," he said. "For that reason our attention is scattered in all directions."
"Our so-called Brave Era poetry his collapsed into a state of ruin," he said of poetry that promotes political changes
Poetry is no longer as effective in Soviet politics as other forms of
'This is perhaps the most unfair time of all for poets, because we are constantly being distracted by political struggles.' — Oleg Chukhoutsev
communication such as journalism Chukhontsev said.
However, Mikkelsen said Chukhontsev's poetry was more philosophical than political. That is one of the reasons that Chukhontsev prefers not to write in times of political unrest.
Chukhoutseh said a desire to change his writing style, as well as a need to distance himself from an author he knew so much temporarily silenced the poet inexc
He said that for now he would concentrate on experiencing changes at an emotional level and would then worry about assimilating them at an emotional level.
"There is always a trade-off," he said. "You always have to make choices. There is a moment when you need to change your priorities and values."
Chukhontsek said jokingly that he would like to live for a few years in a Russian monastery where he could dedicate his time to thinking. He said Lawrence would be an ideal place to find the depth in his soul.
He said that as a living Russian poet he was pleased with the department of Slavic languages and literature, and the program in contemporary Soviet writers.
"This is an ideal place to do a comparative study of Russian and American literature and culture," Chukhontov seva.
But for now, Chukhontsev will return to Russia and wait for crystals to form.
Soviet poet Oleg Chukhontsev, who has been visiting KU, finds it difficult to write poetry in the rapidly changing Russian society.
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