WELCOME
TO
OUR POETRY ARCHIVE
In the ancient era, poetry was basically a
performing art. There was no method of writing down it. So, the performers or
the composers had to memorise the entire stories and enact them in front of an
audience. As such, there was a possibility of alteration of actual words and
rhyme from one performer to another. Or from one performance to other. We can
also assert that poetry has its origins in song. As we know, people of
preliterate era had no means to write down their feelings and stories. They
could only utter their joy and agony in oral form of rhyme with rhythmic
intensity towards musical inclination. So, poetry actually originates from
song. Of course, in the traditional European epics, such as Homeric and
Hesiodic epics, the earliest surviving poems of Europe identify themselves as
poems to be recited or chanted to a musical accompaniment rather than as pure
song. With the invention of writing methods, this oral era of performing poetry
had changed dramatically. One could also read a written poem. Moreover, the
chance of surviving of the entire content of the written poem had also
increased. Again, with the invention of printing technology poetry has come out
of the clutch of mere oral and performing era of pre literacy age.
With the development of literacy poetry
has traversed many centuries to reach its present form. European poetry is no
exception. It has also evolved around European socio-political and cultural
evolutions. It has witnessed the European Renaissance. Gone through it and had
emerged as a more subtle art form. European Renaissance had awakened the
intellect of educated people to find out truths in all spheres of life. It had
enabled people and artists alike to comprehend the art of living. This
awakening of a new enthusiasm had helped Europe to shape its’ politics,
religion, society, culture and literature as a whole. All these had shaped the
post Renaissance European poetry. And with the scientific and technological
evolution of the following eras European poetry had gone through a dramatic
changeover and stepped into the threshold of modern period. During the
following eras European poetry had gone through various experiments. It had
shaped lot of ideas and ideologies. Asked new questions, tried to fathom deep
into the previously unanswered questions. But it had never lost belief in man.
It had always upheld the idea of love and prosperity. Except few exceptions
these were the characteristics European poetry which had also affected the
colonial literatures around the world.
Yet after the two world wars European
poetry has gone through a great turmoil. The faith on the benevolence of
mankind has received a great setback. Which was the epitome of the post
Renaissance periods. People has lost beliefs in moral values of life. Nobody is
above suspicion. None to believe. Life has become a trifle affaire. Everything
seems to be too insignificant to uphold or justify as good. The highway of post
war poetry of Europe has largely been paved by these negative effects. Of
course, European poetry contains within its multiplicities. There are so many
countries with different cultural inheritance and traditions. Also, there are
so many conflicts among various nationalities, cultural differences, Yet Europe
is united in its soul with a common heritage of Ancient culture. Which we can
describe as European culture in a broad sense. This soul has gone through great
upheavals yet remain European within. I think this is the greatest strength of
Europe. Yes, European poetry bears this essence in its every layer. European
poetry of this present millennium is no exception at all. We have to watch its
present as well as future progressions carefully only to see how it manages to
restore the ultimate belief on the benevolence of mankind.
Our Poetry Archive since its inception has
largely been supported by the European poets. Their contributions are really
phenomenal to make Our Poetry Archive an international web journal dedicated to
world poetry, So, we at OPA has decided to dedicate one special issue on
European poets. The uniqueness of this edition is, all the poems have been
published in the original European languages without any translation in
English. This is really a new venture for us. We hope our European readers will
enjoy this number. Although the readers of the English poetry will certainly
miss this New Year Number of OPA, but we are confident enough that they will
remain with us along our homage to the European poets in their native language.
The all English edition will return back with the upcoming February number of
OPA. So, we need all the supports and benevolence of our readers to continue
with our publishing of world poetry over the internet.
With our good wishes for a great year
ahead for our readers and writers alike our thanks go to everybody who oblige
us with his or her participation in this journey.
From The
Editorial Desk
OPA
A
WORLDWIDE WRITERS’ WEB
PRESENTATION!
PUBLISHED BY
OPA
OUR
POETRY ARCHIVE
ONLINE MONTHLY POETRY JOURNAL
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