Uldis Bērziņš

Uldis Bērziņš (1944-2021) was a Latvian poet and translator. Bērziņš is a prolific figure in Latvian literature, an idol to many poets, writers, and readers world-wide. It is next to impossible to describe his unique contribution to the literary voice of Latvia. His work in poetry translation has notably informed and shaped the tradition. Bērziņš has received countless significant literary awards, along with some of the most important honours in the Republic of Latvia – the Three Star Order (1995), Zinaida Lazda Award (1994), the Baltic Assembly Award (1995), the Spidola Award (2000) and many others. Bērziņš was not simply a poet, he is recognised as a virtuoso of words, a visionary able to see and create connections between different points all across the world cultures through his deep understanding of faith, rituals, humanity and humility. Everyday objects become otherworldly and take up cosmic significance once Uldis Bērziņš' words land on paper. Bērziņš has studied Turkish language, Asian and African Studies at the Moscow State University (focusing on Persian and Turkish cultures), he has also studied in Uzbekistan, Island, Czechoslovakia, Sweden and other countries. He has translated poems from many languages, including Turkish, Persian, Spanish, English, Polish, Swedish, Russian and Old Icelandic. And he has worked on various translations of grand scale, including the most recent translation into Latvian of the Bible, as well as the translation of the Qur'an. Māris Salējs, when asked to explain the Uldis Bērsiņš phenomenon replied: „In Uldis' poetry, language itself is a universe which exists in a dynamic reciprocation with other linguistic universes.” Whereas critic Guntis Berelis explains: "Bērziņš actually does not express thoughts, he creates thought [...]"

Idilles [Idylls]. Riga: Neputns, 2018.

Izšūpojušies. Bibliotēka ostmalā. [Rocked. Library on the Levee]. Riga: Neputns, 2014.

Saruna ar Pastnieku [Conversation with a Postman]. Riga: Neputns, 2009.

Dzeja [Poetry]. Selected poems. Riga: Atēna, 2004.

Maijs debešos [May in the Heavens]. Riga: Preses nams, 2002.

Daugavmala [The Daugava’s Edge]. Riga: Nordik (1999)

Nozagtie velosipēdi [Stolen Bicycles]. Riga: Minerva, 1999.

Laiks [Time]. with Juris Kronbergs. Riga: Liesma, 1994.

Nenotikušie atentāti [Assassinations That Never Happened]. Riga: Liesma, 1990.

Poētisms baltkrievs [Belarusian Poetics]. Riga: Liesma, 1984.

Piemineklis kazai [Monument to a Goat]. Riga: Liesma, 1980. 

Two Poems from Latvia // World literature today, July 2023 [EN]

Uldis Bērziņš, poems // Jaunā Gaita, No 232, 2003 [LV]

Interview with Uldis Bērziņš // Newspaper Ir, 2014 [LV]

Interview with Uldis Bērziņš // Diena.lv, 2018 [LV] 

Agnieszka Smarzewska. Lights in the fog. Review of the anthology of Latvian poetry "All the birds that are in me..." translated by Olga Wiewióra // Przeglad Baltycki October, 2020 [PL]

Raimonds Ķirķis, Kas palicis nesamuldēts, review of Idylls // Online magazine Satori, 2018 [LV]

Marians Rižijs, Uldis Bērizņš: dzīve un liktelpas poētika, monograph of Uldis Bērziņš life and poetics //  Riga: Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia, 2014 [LV]

Anda Baklāne, Bērziņs iedarbība, review of Rocked. Library on the Levee // Online magazine Satori, 2009 [LV]

Kārlis Vērdiņš, Valodas piegulētājs Uldis Bērziņš, review of Rocked. Library on the Levee // Diena.lv, 2009 [LV]

Guntis Berelis, on Uldis Bērziņš poetry // Latvian Cultural Canon [EN, RU, LV]

2020, the Annual Latvian Literary Award for translation of The Song of my Cid

2019, the Annual Latvian Literary Award for his collection of peoms Idylls

2017, the Annual Latvian Literary Award of Lifetime Achievement 

2016, the Annual Latvian Literary Award of Special Achievement for Songs of Edda

2016, The Dzintars Sodums' Award for his translation of the ancient Icelandic Songs of Edda

2015, the Annual Latvian Literary Award for his collection of poems Rocked. Library on the Levee

2012, the Annual Latvian Literary Award of Special Achievement for translation of the Qur'an

2009, the Annual Latvian Literary Prize for his collection of poems Conversation with a Postman

2009, Poetry Days prize for translations

2000, the Spidola Award 

1995, the Baltic Assembly Award

1995, Three Star Order

1994, Zinaida Lazda Award