Milena Makarova Latvian poet and translator Date of Birth: 18.09.1972 Country: Latvia

1. Milena Makarova: A Multifaceted Writer and Language Bridge
2. Early Life and Education
3. Literary Beginnings
4. Writing Career
5. Translation Work
6. Recent Endeavors
7. Conclusion

Milena Makarova: A Multifaceted Writer and Language Bridge

Milena Makarova is a renowned Latvian poet, translator, and member of the Latvian Writers' Union, Russian Writers' Union, and Latvian PEN Club. She is also a participant in the Baltic Guild of Poets and a laureate of poetry competitions held by the Latvian Writers' Union and the Russian embassy in Latvia. As a versatile artist, she has received numerous scholarships from the Latvian Cultural Capital Fund.

Early Life and Education

Born on September 18, 1972, in Riga, Latvia, Milena Makarova comes from a diverse cultural background. Her father, Victor Alexandrovich Makarov, was a civil aviation engineer of Ukrainian and Moldovan descent. Her mother, Liliya Eduardovna Makarova, was a book expert with Polish and Estonian heritage. Growing up in a home where Russian, Latvian, and Polish were spoken, language seems to have played a significant role in shaping her career path. After completing school, Makarova pursued a degree in Philology at the University of Latvia, followed by a degree in History and Philosophy. She also engaged in journalism.

Literary Beginnings

Makarova penned her first poems at the tender age of 12, but her serious engagement with poetry commenced around the age of 16. She refers to that period as "apprenticeship," which she deems essential for any aspiring writer. It was during this time that she honed her unique voice and refined her craft. Her first publication appeared in the newspaper "Diena" at the age of 18. Five years later, she published her debut collection of poems and poetic prose titled "Amalgama."

Writing Career

In 1991, Makarova became a member of the Studio of Young Writers at the Latvian Writers' Union. Her literary achievements continued to flourish, earning her the honor of becoming a member of the Latvian Writers' Union in 1998. She was the youngest member ever admitted to this professional organization.

Makarova's poems have been featured in various magazines and anthologies throughout Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Ukraine, Germany, and Israel. Despite her prolific output, "Amalgama" remains her only published poetry collection.

Translation Work

In addition to her writing, Makarova has also established herself as a skilled translator. For over 15 years, she has dedicated herself to translating Latvian poetry and prose, which she describes as an invaluable experience that fosters connections between different literary worlds. She has worked on numerous translation projects, resulting in the publication of several books. Notably, she translated a bilingual collection of Amanda Aizpuriete's poetry titled "Twilight Loves You" and a collection of Liana Langa's poetry titled "The Substance of Sight."

Recent Endeavors

Over the past decade, Makarova has shifted her focus towards translation. She has participated in various projects, including a multilateral edition of Krisjanis Barons' legendary Latvian folk songs, "LATVJU DAINAS." In collaboration with the Latvian Institute of Literature and Folklore, she translated and edited over a thousand Latvian folk songs for this extensive linguistic project.

Conclusion

Milena Makarova is a multifaceted writer whose contributions to Latvian literature extend far beyond her own poetry. As a talented translator, she has bridged the gap between Latvian and other languages, introducing Latvian literary voices to wider audiences and facilitating cross-cultural understanding. Her unwavering dedication to her craft has earned her recognition and respect both in Latvia and internationally.