Arseny Alexandrovich Tarkovsky (Russian: Арсений Александрович Тарковский; 25 June 1907 – 27 May 1989) was a prominent Soviet poet and translator. He is widely recognized for his lyrical and philosophical poetry, and for his close association with his son, the acclaimed film director Andrei Tarkovsky, whose films often featured his father's verses.
Early Life and Education
Arseny Tarkovsky was born in Elisavetgrad (now Kropyvnytskyi, Ukraine), then part of the Russian Empire. His father, Alexander Karlovich Tarkovsky, was a Narodnik (populist revolutionary) and an editor, and his mother was Maria Danilovna Rachkovskaya. From an early age, Tarkovsky showed a keen interest in literature and poetry. In 1925, he moved to Moscow and, in 1930, graduated from the High Literary Courses, an institution affiliated with the Union of Soviet Writers. During these years, he absorbed the rich literary traditions of Russian poetry, particularly the Symbolists and Acmeists.Career
Poetry
Tarkovsky's poetic career developed slowly, and he did not publish his first collection until he was nearly 50 years old. His early work was often seen as out of step with the prevailing Socialist Realism of the Soviet era, which likely contributed to the delayed recognition. His poetry is characterized by its deep lyricism, philosophical introspection, and a refined classical style. Themes of memory, time, nature, human existence, war, and the connection between the individual and the universe frequently appear in his verses. His command of form, rhythm, and language, combined with a profound emotional resonance, earned him a unique place in Russian poetry.His major collections include:
- ''Before the Snow'' (Перед снегом, 1962)
- ''The Earthly Weight'' (Земле — земное, 1966)
- ''Messenger'' (Вестник, 1969)
- ''Poems'' (Стихи, 1974)
- ''To Be Blessed with Your Destiny'' (Быть и быть, 1977)
- ''Selected Works'' (Избранное, 1982)
- ''From Youth to Old Age'' (От юности до старости, 1987)
Translation
Alongside his original poetic work, Tarkovsky was a highly respected literary translator. He translated extensively from Armenian, Georgian, Arabic, and other Eastern languages into Russian. His translations are celebrated for their artistic quality and for introducing many notable foreign poets to Russian readers. This work provided him with a living during periods when his own poetry struggled to find publication.World War II
During World War II, Tarkovsky volunteered for the front in 1941, despite being over military age. He worked as a war correspondent for the army newspaper "Battle Alarm." In 1943, he was severely wounded in battle and had his leg amputated, an experience that profoundly affected his life and later found expression in some of his poems.Influence on Andrei Tarkovsky
Arseny Tarkovsky's poetry held a profound influence on his son, the celebrated film director Andrei Tarkovsky. Andrei frequently incorporated his father's poems into his films, using them as voice-overs or as integral narrative elements that underscored the thematic depth and emotional core of his cinematic works. Notable examples include:- ''Mirror'' (Зеркало, 1975), which features several of Arseny's poems, read by the poet himself. The film is deeply autobiographical and explores themes of memory, family, and war, mirroring the elder Tarkovsky's personal experiences and poetic concerns.
- ''Stalker'' (Сталкер, 1979)
- ''Nostalghia'' (Ностальгия, 1983)
- ''The Sacrifice'' (Offret, 1986)
The use of his father's poetry in Andrei's films not only gave Arseny Tarkovsky's work a wider audience but also created a unique interdisciplinary dialogue between two distinct artistic forms.