MOSCOW, September 28 Russian President Vladimir Putin called Rasul Gamzatov’s poems a textbook of life. The Russian leader expressed this opinion at a gala concert dedicated to the centenary of the birth of the Soviet and Russian poet.
“Rasul Gamzatov’s legacy goes far beyond art; it is, rather, a textbook of life, where you can find answers to the most pressing and most sensitive questions,” Putin said, emphasizing that the scale of his artistic thinking is simply amazing.
«He glorifies nature, man, patriotism, turns to history, to the past as a lesson, instructs young people to remain faithful not only to the customs of their fathers, but to their courage, dignity and honor,» the president added.
Putin noted that everyone cherishes the legendary “Cranes” and other poignant poems by Gamzatov about front-line soldiers, about the generation of winners, about the Great Patriotic War.
Speaking at a gala concert, Putin called Gamzatov a people's poet.
“The faithful son of the ancient Avar people, the soul of Dagestan, and all of Russia — he was and remains the brightest star of Russian culture. Through the years, eras and generations, Gamzatov’s work carries the light of goodness, creativity and love, like a tuning fork attunes people’s feelings to the understanding that in our lives is truly significant and important,” the Russian leader emphasized.
Remembering the poet, the president said that he was “grateful to fate for meeting this truly great man, for the opportunity to listen to his imaginative, rich, truly folk speech, to admire the depth of his thoughts and filigree, life-loving humor.”
«I remember the 80th birthday of Rasul Gamzatov. Many sincere and even enthusiastic words were addressed to him, to which the poet said that he treats anniversaries with irony, because, in his opinion, an anniversary is an exaggeration of merit,» — Putin shared his memory.
“But I am sure that it is impossible to exaggerate the merits of the poet, translator, publicist, prose writer, public figure Gamzatov, just as it is impossible to overestimate the creative, educational and civic contribution of Rasul Gamzatov to domestic and world literature, to the establishment of humanism, friendship between peoples, and our traditional values «, the Russian leader emphasized.
Putin quoted Korney Chukovsky, who called Gamzatov “an inquisitive sage who tried to understand the full meaning of things.” In his opinion, this is the most accurate characteristic.
The President noted that no matter what Gamzatov wrote poetry about, the source of his inspiration was always his native Dagestan. “He loved him selflessly, and I know that this love is mutual. Gamzatov literally inspired Dagestanis to both labor and military feats, as was the case in 1999, when we, together as a whole country, repelled the aggression of international terrorism. I will never forget those days, months and weeks of people’s courage, their firm determination to defend their home, our entire fatherland. The whole country will remember Dagestan of that time,” Putin said, and the audience reacted to his message with a stormy ovation.
«Gamzatov's poems, like our entire culture, literature, great history, inspire us today, when the fate of Russia is being decided, when we defend everything that is dear to us, our future, truth and justice,» — the president emphasized.
Speaking about the significance of the poet for his fellow countrymen in Dagestan, Putin noted that for many he is simply a dear person, and many in the republic celebrate his centenary as a family holiday. “Having dedicated hundreds of works to the Caucasian mountains and open spaces, he himself considered the best song about Russia “Russian Field”, he even proposed making it the national anthem of Russia, with which he never separated himself and often introduced himself: “The envoy of a great country from all nationalities,” — reminded the head of state. He cited as an example the famous lines: “In Dagestan I am an Avar, in Russia I am a Dagestan, abroad I am Russian.”
“Here it is, Gamzat’s formula for Russia, unique in its language, national diversity, strong unity of original cultures, which from century to century give birth to brilliant, outstanding talents,” the president emphasized.
Putin agreed with Gamzatov’s wish, expressed in one of his interviews, that politicians quote poets more often. «His poems are a collection of truth, a universe where all the best rules, stories about the true purpose of man. Of course, we all relate to his lines that there are only two worthy reasons that should prompt a man to action: one of them is love to a woman, the keeper of the hearth, mother, wife, daughter; the other is love for the land, dear, which entered our flesh and blood and became an unquenchable star,” Putin quoted, emphasizing that Gamzatov always wrote only about that he knew, understood, loved and felt.
Summarizing, the president emphasized that the poet lived and worked with a heart open to people, and this sincerity gives his words, beliefs, and covenants a special power over which time has no power.