We remember János Pilinszky (November 27, 1921 – May 27, 1981), one of the most significant figures in Hungarian literature of the twentieth century, a poet who was awarded the Baumgarten Prize, the József Attila Prize and the Kossuth Prize, on the 100th anniversary of his birth. His spiritual presence has lost none of its luster, and is still alive today.
On this occasion, the latest edition of Új Ember was published, in which Henrietta Borsodi, a staff member and editor of the Hungarian Kurír news portal, "takes the poet to task" in the volume "Brightly from Joy" with the subtitle "Approaches to the poems of János Pilinszky". The book is also excellent for Advent immersion.
In the poetry of János Pilinszky, the most basic experiences and most disturbing questions of our human existence are voiced. We know ourselves, our own lives, our doubts, our expectations and our desires in this art. The poet constantly ponders the problems of love, sin and freedom. This is what we do together with him, approaching his poems, looking for something to hold on to, researching the possibilities of joy and peace of the soul, says the book review.
With this small volume, the Új Ember publishing house pays tribute to the poet who was born a hundred years ago, and from 1957 he was an internal employee of the Catholic weekly newspaper Új Ember. His portfolios, religious and philosophical reflections, and art criticisms were largely published here.
Bright with joy - at the Új Ember Bookstore Photo: Új Ember Bookstore
"Pilinszky, the Catholic Pilinszky, the "hell-walking mystic" testified to his faith countless times in his poetry, in his publications and in his statements.
His faith was not without contradictions and doubts either. Which one is it? Nevertheless, he also testified, and his lyrics also point in this direction, through many struggles, that God has not left the world, he is present.
He said of his faith: “…if I am asked, and I have to answer in one word, whether I believe, I say that I believe. More precisely, that I try to believe. But this is a yes that can be debated and pondered to the grave." The struggle for faith and temptations against faith is difficult. And in this struggle we get tired so often. We want to rest. Let the drama in which we are constantly forced to live, the drama of redemption, the Satan's never-ending fight against God, cease," the book reads.
Henrietta Borsodi's book Örömötöl lansülül is also excellent for Advent immersion.
Source: velvidek.ma / Hungarian Kurir
Image: Új Ember Bookstore
