The Russian Academy Of Arts

IN MEMORY OF THE POET ANDREY DEMENTIEV (1928-2018)


26.06.2018 -

The Russian culture has suffered a great loss. The poet Andrey Dementiev (1928-2018) passed away on June 26, 2018. He was a key figure of Russian literature, one of the most eminent Soviet and Russian poets of the second half of the 20th century, radio and TV host, author of texts for a lot of popular songs.

A Member of the Writers’ Union of the USSR, Winner of the USSR State Prize, Honorary Member of the Russian Academy of Arts, till the last days of his life Andrey Dementiev has been actively involved in the creative and public activity especially for the International public foundation “Russian Peace Foundation”. He was a holder of many honors and awards of the Russian Federation.

Andrey Dementiev had a fruitful relationship with the Russian Academy of Arts One of the recent projects was an establishment of Andrey Dementiev House of Poetry in his native city of Tver. In front of the House of Poetry stands a monument to poets of the 1960s created by the President of the Russian Academy of Arts Zurab Tsereteli. It was the last invaluable contribution of Andrey Dementiev to the preservation of Russian culture.

ZURAB TSERETELI ABOUT ANDREY DEMENTIEV:
“Today passed away my close friend, associate and colleague Andrey Dementiev. There are no words to express how great this loss is for me. He was an incredible friend with whom for very many years we went together through life. He was always ready to give a good advice, support in hard time and always enjoyed the success of his friends.

It is not only my personal grief, it is a great loss for Russian culture. Not long ago, we together with Evgeny Evtushenko (1932-2017), Valentina Tereshkova and Joseph Kobzon opened in Andrey’s native Tver the House of Poetry and a monument to poets of the 1960s. We wanted to preserve in bronze the memory of Bella Akhmadulina, Andrey Voznesensky, Bulat Okudzhava, Robert Rozhdestvensky – our common friends, poets who became the forerunners and symbols of the “thaw”.

Andrey Dementiev was a man of generous and bright talent. His poems, enthusiasm, energy became a creative beginning for composers and singers. His piercing revelation put to music has won people’s love and recognition.

It is impossible to overestimate the contribution of Andrey Dementiev to the treasury of Russian poetry, his poems have become a cultural heritage of Russia. A romantic, humanist, patriot and optimist Andrey Dementiev with all his heart wrote his poems full of love and compassion, bitter irony and lyricism. It is no accident, that his books have been translated into foreign languages and are in demand in many countries. Andrey Dementiev was a brilliant poet, a true friend and in my memory his bright image will remain forever”.  


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