Slovenian poetry classics revived in dialogue with rap
Ljubljana, 21 February - After a comic take on Slovenian literary classics became a smashing hit last year, rapper Trkaj and literary historian Igor Saksida have teamed up for a modern take on Slovenian poetry classics.
Ljubljana
Rapper Trkaj.
Photo: Anže Malovrh/STA
Published by Mladinska knjiga, the book Kla kla klasika is aimed at schoolchildren in particular, as it presents classic pieces of Slovenian poetry in a youthful approach with elements of a textbook.
The book takes works by the likes of France Prešeren, Oton Župančič, Simon Jenko, Dragotin Kette and Simon Gregorčič, and analyses them alongside pieces by contemporary poets and rappers, as well as the target public's peers.
It is divided into three sections covering love poetry, darker epic poems and lyrical poetry dealing with creativity.
Trkaj and Saksida said at the presentation on Tuesday there were several obstacles in the project resulting from their different views on poetry, but they were able to overcome them because of their shared love of poetry and desire to bring it closer to young readers.
Classical poetry has been brought down from its ivory tower in this book and presented as a dialogue between the old and the new, between different poets, and between the author and the reader.
The book also features a CD with rap versions of classic poems and original rap songs inspired by them, as well as several tracks with background music for readers to try rapping or reciting themselves.