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Arvids GrigulisLatvian Soviet writer, poet and playwright
Date of Birth: 12.10.1906
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Content:
- Arvīds Grigulis: Latvian Author and Academic
- Literary Career
- Academic Contributions
- Political Involvement
- Literary Works
- Other plays: "The Dawn of the People," "The Doctor," "The Slanderers"
- Translation: "The Lay of Igor's Campaign" into Latvian (1950)
Arvīds Grigulis: Latvian Author and Academic
Birth and Early LifeArvīds Grigulis was born on September 29 (October 12), 1906, in Ladere parish of Volmar County, Latvia. Hailing from a farming family, he later pursued higher education at the University of Latvia, graduating with a law degree in 1935.
Literary Career
Grigulis' literary journey began in 1927. In the late 1940s, he emerged as a renowned playwright, crafting works known for their biting satire and incisive dialogue. His plays targeted bourgeois nationalists and wealthy farmers, touching upon themes of war, labor, and morality.
Academic Contributions
From 1945 onwards, Grigulis taught Latvian literature at the University of Latvia. He made significant contributions to literary history and theory through his research. Grigulis was recognized as an academician of the Latvian Academy of Sciences in 1978, and earned a doctorate in philology in 1973.
Political Involvement
Grigulis actively participated in politics, serving as a deputy in the Supreme Soviet of the Latvian SSR. He became a member of the Communist Party in 1954.
Literary Works
Plays"Clay and Porcelain" (1947): Recipient of the Stalin Prize for its theatrical production
Other plays: "The Dawn of the People," "The Doctor," "The Slanderers"
Other Literary ContributionsChildren's and youth literature: "Boyhood Warriors," "Zinta and Her Friends"
Literary criticism: Co-edited "Latvian Literary Criticism" (5 volumes)
Translation: "The Lay of Igor's Campaign" into Latvian (1950)
Recognition and LegacyAwards and Honors
Stalin Prize, Second Degree (1948)
People's Writer of the Latvian SSR (1976)
Merited Cultural Worker of the Latvian SSR (1947)
Numerous orders and medals, including the Order of Lenin and the Order of the Red Star
Arvīds Grigulis passed away on October 5, 1989. His literary works continue to resonate with readers, offering insights into the cultural and political landscapes of Latvia during the 20th century.
