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Gillel OmerIsraeli poet and writer who wrote under the pseudonym Hillel Ain.
Country:
 Israel |
Content:
Biography of Gilliel Omer
Gilliel Omer (Hebrew: גלי אומר) was an Israeli poet and writer who wrote under the pseudonym Gilliel Ain. He was known for his children's poems, which became iconic Israeli lullabies.
Early Life and Career
Gilliel Omer was born in Kibbutz Mishmar HaEmek in the Jezreel Valley in 1926. His father changed their surname from Kotovich to Ogni (עוגני), and his early poems were published under the name Gilliel Ogni. Omer fought in the Palmach during the War of Independence.
After the war, Omer moved to Tel Aviv, where he worked as a landscape designer and created parks such as Gan HaPisga and Charles Clore Park. From 1954 to 1969, he served as the chief landscape designer of Jerusalem, planning and designing the city's botanical and biblical parks.
Literary Career
While living in the kibbutz, Ogni developed a deep love for the nature of his homeland, which he carried throughout his life and reflected in his works. Poet Avraham Shlonsky suggested that Ogni take a pen name starting with the first letter of his surname, ע (Ain), and Omer chose the name Gilliel.
In 1947, his first poems and stories were published in the newspaper "Word for Children". He created new Israeli literary characters, such as Uncle Simcha, who struggles to fit into life but gives it meaning. Omer also wrote for adults, including "Country of the Noon" (1950), and his poem "Ha-Nesher" written in biblical Hebrew, exploring the doubts and disappointments of the 20th century.
Omer's works have been translated into several languages, including Russian.
