Slovenia loses authors, politicians Zlobec and Capuder
Ljubljana, 17 December - In 2018 Slovenia lost two authors who left an indelible mark in politics and society. Ciril Zlobec, one of the most celebrate poets, died aged 93, while writer and translator Andrej Capuder died at the age of 75.
Ljubljana
Poet Ciril Zlobec.
Photo: Tamino Petelinšek/STA
File photo
Zlobec, along with Tone Pavček, Janez Menart and Kajetan Kovič published Four Poets, (1953) a joint collection of poems that marked a shift from collectivism to intimism in Slovenian 20th century poetry. The collection is considered the start of contemporary Slovenian poetry.
He was often critical of those in power, also in the former Yugoslavia. He was also active in politics, serving as deputy president of the Socialist Alliance of Working People of Yugoslavia and a member of the Slovenian Presidency between 1990 and 1992.
A prolific author, he received many prestigious awards, including the top national accolade for artistic achievement, the Prešeren Prize, in 1982 and the Župančič Award for literature in 1978.
Capuder, a French literature professor and one of the most versatile Slovenian authors, was the first Slovenian to receive the French Knight of the Legion of Honour for promoting the French language and culture. He also served as culture minister and ambassador in Paris and Rome.
He translated Dante's The Divine Comedy, a feat that took a decade and earned him the Sovre Prize for translation. He also translated Petrarca, Camoes, Ernesto Sabato, as well as philosophers such as Teilhard de Chardin and Kierkegaard.