INTERVIEW OF NATALIE BISSO

 

NilavroNill Shoovro

Talking With Poet

Natalie Bisso

DECEMBER 2022

NILAVRONILL: Welcome to OPA. We are glad to introduce you as the poet of the month, this November. Why do literature and poetry in particular interest you so much? Please give us some idea about your own perception of literature or poetry in general.

NATALIE BISSO: Hello, dear Editorial Staff, dear Colleagues! I am glad to meet you and especially glad to meet new readers in your country and around the world who read your wonderful magazine. Your question is very easy for me. And I can talk about this topic forever. What is literature? Literature - in the first and only sense - is a WORD. In the beginning was the WORD. As everyone probably know, the word is an omnipotent weapon, but also a medicine. In a word, you can hurt and even kill, but you can also cure a person, give hope to someone who has lost faith in everything, even in himself. This is my idea of literature in general. I know for sure that the WORD both a positive charge of energy and a negative one. And when I write my little essays, short stories, articles and other prose, I don't touch on the negative side of the topic.

In my opinion, every mention of a negative word or action, even when discussing a fact that has already taken place, carries a new charge of bad energy for the formation of a new bad or evil action that will be formed and committed in the future. But this is a philosophical question. Therefore, I try to touch, open, raise topics and even remind about the good in this world, about the good, beautiful, pure, pleasant, joy, love, friendship, beauty and kindness. And where else, if not in literature, can you so comprehensively, beautiful and lyrically express your beautiful idea?! Therefore, I am very sensitive to literature in prose. After all, from literature we learn the world in its wider spectrum. It is in literature, especially in the classics, when reading, you get into the feelings, views and customs of different generations, you learn a lot about the peoples of different countries, having the opportunity to analyze, compare and admire the beauty of the word. THE WORD is a GREAT POWER! And literature is the WORD! I even wrote a poem about it.

IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD.

Sacred, high, dignified,

excited, passionate, dashing -

Poetry, like a free bird in the sky,

condemns hearts to the torment of happiness!

Oh, no!

Poetry burns with a line!

And multiplies the beauty and tenderness!

And the one who burns in this tenderness

is thrown into blind inevitability.

And fresh, great, powerful,

free, rich in new geniuses,

with restless and burning hearts,

saves the world with great basics!

In the beginning was the WORD! - according to the Covenant.

It saved the world from darkness and evil, and loneliness.

It also calls us to account,

saying the truth by the poets of prophecy.

As for poetry, that's a completely different story. I do not know of any other genre in literature in which it was possible to present your feelings and thoughts to the reader so lyrically, beautifully, highly and worthily, having framed them with rhyme, infinitely beautiful epithets and metaphors, with such lyrics that immediately gets into the hearts of readers, penetrates into the and remains there forever, thus educating and reviving the beauty in the reader himself. In the modern world, different countries have developed their own genres of writing poetry. Unfortunately, when translating poems into other languages, poems with rhyme are transformed into white poems and only the meaning remains. But at least the meaning and a beautiful metaphor or beautiful lyrics can also be appreciated and perceived deeply and positively. Russian is the language I write my works in, a language that can convey thoughts and feelings in such a multifaceted way that even the famous 99 shades of gray do not go into any spectral comparison with poetry in Russian. I write poems in rhyme, checking each word, building a plot in each poem, with an introduction at the beginning and conclusions at the end, expressing the idea in beautiful lyrical forms, using colorful and not hackneyed metaphors. Apparently, this is what attracts my readers. But most of all about the poems I can say that for me they are like a breath of air. I breathe poetry! I can't live without her either spiritually, mentally, or physically. I create my poetry, and he creates me. I live in her, and she lives in me. We are united!

NILAVRONILL: How do you relate your own self existence with your literary life in one hand, and the time around you, in the other.

NATALIE BISSO: It all somehow fits together in me by itself. In real life, I live, empathize, get upset, sad, rejoice, love, miss or have fun, but poetry lives in me and probably it selects what to take in and reflect in words on paper. It happens by itself. The only thing I noticed for myself is that if I am shocked by what is happening or deeply disappointed by something, or other negative emotions have taken hold of me, I have absolutely no desire to write poetry. I mean, there is no desire to write good, kind, love poems, about nature, about the sun in the sky, about happiness. In indignation, poems are written more violently, but they express the feelings that took hold of the moment. And if I can't bear it, if I absolutely want to pour a tub of indignation on paper, then even if I write such poems, I never publish them. I don't think it's right. Because my opinion can be deeply erroneous against the background of perception and emotions, against the background of incorrectly submitted information. And it turns out a twofold feeling. Because I want to reflect kindness, beauty, love and friendship into the world in poetry, but we also need to talk about the real, about what is happening in the world, reflecting reality. On the other hand, I know for sure that if it is necessary, if it helps at least one soul in the world, I will sit down and write poetry or prose on any topic.

NILAVRONILL: Do you believe creative souls flourish more in turmoil than in peace?

NATALIE BISSO: I believe. And I know by myself when emotions are bubbling, creativity is also bubbling. I have already touched on this topic above. In confusion, some creative personalities "work miracles", write a lot, sometimes they are real masterpieces, which are later recognized by descendants as classical literature. Unfortunately, this is not the case for all creative personalities and often the works look monotonous. And some authors even distort reality. Often this happens from superficial knowledge of the topic that caused such emotions, from ignorance of the real truth, from receiving incomplete or even distorted information about what is happening, on which conclusions are based and poems are written on those conclusions. And unfortunately, there will always be a supporter and an opponent who will pick up and praise the author and his poems, and those interested in inflating incorrect information will even reward a naive, lost poet. And the poet, in turn, out of joy, even allows himself to be promoted on this, continuing to be mistaken. I do not publish poems on such acute topics that can distort history for future generations. But what is peace? Probably this is also a philosophical question. Perhaps I don't have a state of rest at all, even if my life flows smoothly. I always live with pleasure, violently, in happiness and love, plunging into life with my head. I love life in all its manifestations. I am interested in a lot of things and therefore, apparently, there is no time for peace, as there is no time for resentments, quarrels, revenge, envy, which I eradicated in myself in my youth. At the age of 28, having "dug up" whole layers of philosophical wisdom from around the world, I created my own philosophy for myself, and I live by it to this day. She always helps me out in difficult moments. But delving into it now is a long business and if written, it will be enough for several volumes. However, if the confusion of my soul is a derivative of happiness, then the fountain of this happy confusion multiplies in verse and prose many times and beautifully. And it is perceived by readers just as willingly and happily, reflecting and multiplying all the good things in the world.

NILAVRONILL: Do you think in this age of information and technology the dimensions of literature have been largely extended beyond our preconceived ideas about literature in general?

NATALIE BISSO: I think there is never much literature. Especially good literature. At each time, its own literature is born, reflecting its time. Another thing is that if we consider the epistolary genre as literature, especially articles in the media (and this is the epistolary genre) and such a genre naturally exists in world literature, then perhaps, yes, they have gone beyond the limits, and strongly. And even if my personal opinion can be considered a biased view of literature in general, at the moment I will not give it up. As a sensible, comprehensively developed and information-savvy person, I clearly feel this. Sometimes this kind of genre so empties the soul and squeezes the throat, especially with distorted concepts and distorted custom information, that I want to ban it. But on the other hand, each of us has the opportunity to develop ourselves comprehensively, to find the truth in a pile of verbal garbage. You just have to want it. So, it seems to me that those who are mistaken are to blame, those who are deceived are happy to be deceived, and those who are looking for the truth will definitely find it, thanks to technology and information.

NILAVRONILL: Now, in this changing scenario we would like to know from your own life experiences as a poet, writer and a creative soul: How do you respond to this present time?

NATALIE BISSO: On the one hand, I react to this present time with pain in my heart for all the suffering of the peoples, on the other hand, with great enthusiasm, faith and hope that the world will become better, more sovereign, broader and kinder, that all peoples will understand one simple truth: we must live in peace, harmony and justice respecting the other as much as he wants to be respected himself.

NILAVRONILL: Do you believe that all writers are by and large the product of their nationality? And is this an incentive for or an obstacle against becoming a truly international writer?

NATALIE BISSO: I answer the first half of the question: no, I don't think that all writers are the product of their nationality. But I think that upbringing, education, intelligence, character and environment play a big role. The latter is very often reflected in the work of a bright and noticeable strip. Is it an incentive or an obstacle to fame that a writer is a product of his nationality? In my opinion, it happens in different ways. Still, I would like to pay attention to talent first of all. A truly talented person will be recognized everywhere, his talent will flourish everywhere, in any country and in a person with any nationality. He will remain in the history of that country, precisely as a bright talented writer. Another thing is that in the age of technology, some, even not very talented writers, by virtue of their character and desire to achieve recognition, can achieve greater worldwide fame, while others, more talented, but more shy, will not achieve the worldwide recognition they deserve.

NILAVRONILL: Now, if we try to understand the tradition and modernism, do you think literature can play a pivotal role in it?  If so, how? Again, how can an individual writer relate himself or herself to the tradition and to modernism?

NATALIE BISSO: Of course, it can. Literature has always, in all ages, played a huge hole in the development and direction of social society. The world is changing, views, trends, art and literature are changing tool. Interspersing modernism in traditional art and culture, and especially in literature, every modern writer leaves his mark on the history of the creation of a new direction in the current moment. However, I personally am an adherent of a softer, not radical incorporation of modernism into the traditional. Modernism, it is not always as refined, beautiful and accurate as the traditional type tested for centuries, traditionally laid down rules, styles, directions. Modernism has to be selected for centuries to the same level of recognition as traditions.

NILAVRONILL: Do you think literary criticism has much to do with the development of a poet and the true understanding of his or her poetry?

NATALIE BISSO: Does it have much in common? I don't know, but I think that literary criticism is the most important milestone in the development and improvement of each poet's creativity. It seems to me that the basics of versification, the refinement of phrases, beautiful lyrics, the plot of the poem, not hackneyed metaphors, new, fresh rhyme, understandable and close to everyone topics - all this at the same time every poet should take into account and strive for the perfection of his works. Unfortunately, many people use neither knowledge, nor in-depth study, nor the advice of critics, but write poetry, roughly speaking, either by rhyming, or on a whim, and thinking of themselves that they are brilliant. In fact, even with a superficial knowledge of versification, but with good criticism and with a great desire of the poet, he can achieve more and more perfection in each of his creations. Criticism is a huge incentive for a poet, and constructive criticism is practically a textbook. And the understanding of the poet or his poetry will come if there is a clear talent in the verses. A poet will always find his reader, just as a song always finds its listener.

NILAVRONILL: Do you think society as a whole is the key factor in shaping you up as a poet, or your poetry altogether?

NATALIE BISSO: For me personally, no, it is not. I am already an adult, with well-established views on life, on society, on the values of life, on priorities in it. I have long formed views, I have gained knowledge, I have developed, for myself, a philosophy of life, on which I rely in difficult moments and by which I compare my actions, I have already achieved relative achievements in literature and especially in poetry, and not only. So, society, whatever it is around me now, does not affect me as a poet, and even more so is not a key factor for me as a person, as a poet and a writer. I accept society as it is. And it - society - is changing very quickly. And not always for the better. And I would still like to keep in myself the positive balance of knowledge, skills, education that I have received throughout my life. I, both as a person and as a creative person, accept society and its changes, but I do not always follow these changes, and if so, then only positive ones.

NILAVRONILL: Do you think people in general actually bother about literature?  Do you think this consumerist world is turning the average man away from serious literature?

NATALIE BISSO: Turns away and at a very accelerated pace. Now new technologies are being introduced into our lives so quickly that people simply have less and less time left to read books on paper. But it's good that technology is developing. After all, they provide other opportunities for writers and their literature. But still, I believe that humanity will not turn away from serious literature. A person needs spiritual food just as much as bodily food. And if now the average person has somewhat turned away from serious literature, then after a certain time he will return to it again and with more interest than before, he will study it, be interested in it. I believe it!

NILAVRONILL: We would like to know the factors and the peoples who have influenced you immensely in the growing phase of your literary life.

NATALIE BISSO: Oh, that's a very simple question. The classics of Russian and foreign literature had a huge and major influence on me: Pushkin, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Bunin, Bulgakov, Gogol, Chekhov, Alexander Kuprin, Philip Dormer Chesterfield, Kung Tzu (Confucius), Omar Khayyam, Arthur Conan Doyle, Turgenev, Rimma Kazakova, Bella Akhmadulina, Yevgeny Yevtushenko, the great Indian writer, poet, composer, artist, public figure Rabindranath Tagore and others. At different times, I was fascinated by different writers and their different works. I love philosophy very much and have always been keenly interested in it. I liked reading Оshо. There is even a poem relatively dedicated to him. That's what it's called:

 

Like Osho

Enjoy simple things …

— a cup of tea, a conversation with each other,

silence, beauty and flowers,

the sun again starting in a circle.

 

Refraction of the starry sky

observe.. and marvel at the dawn,

The warm smell of rye bread

So to love, like the poems of poets.

 

Walk through the fresh dew,

To whisper in silence with a birch tree,

wander in the white fog

Admire nature carefully

 

I would like to learn to see beauty

And merge with pure nature,

To be surprised at everything once in a hundredth time -

My thorny path would become easier.

 

I can 't list all of them, but the very first poet whose poetry I fell in love with while still in the fifth grade was Sergei Esenin, a famous Russian poet. I read it a lot and excitedly. I was so passionate about Yesenin's poetry, I visited Yesenin's homeland, In the village of Konstantinovo, Ryazan region, near Moscow. I was lucky enough to find all his publications at that time, and it was a huge shortage at that time.

NILAVRONILL: How would you evaluate your contemporaries and what are your aspirations for or expectation from the younger generation?

NATALIE BISSO: There are quite a few very bright and talented authors among the contemporaries. Although, it seems to me, modernity does not make strict claims against the authors. And yet, there are just good poems, and there are real pearls. And such pearls will shine forever, no matter what changes in the world come.

NILAVRONILL: Humanity has suffered immensely in the past, and is still suffering around the world. We all know it well. But are you hopeful about our future?

NATALIE BISSO: Oh, that goes without saying. I am an incorrigible optimist and always hope for the good! Philosophy helps me come to positive conclusions. I am sure that good times will come and we and our future generations will live in a beautiful bright tomorrow and will be happy!!

NILAVRONILL: Thank you so much Natalie for discussing with such lucidity the various issues related with literature in general. I would like to conclude this engaging interview with you, asking a simple question. What role can literature in general play to bring a better day for every human being?

NATALIE BISSO: The importance of literature in a person's life, in fact, is very difficult to overestimate. Why do we need books at all when there is so much information around? However, reading is a necessity. Because it is not only a means for mental entertainment. The books contain the author's idea, which he wants to convey to the reader. When reading, one should strive to understand and be able to read between the lines. Any work - this is a holistic thing. It requires all-consuming attention and concentration. A person who reads trains a voluminous and in-depth perception of the world, as opposed to a superficial one. With such a look, he is not afraid of all kinds of advertising deceptions and manipulations over people's minds. And if a person does not succumb to external influences and manipulations, it is much more difficult for him to ruin his life. This means that every day of a person it will be fully lived. And I wish all of us to read more books, train your brain, gain knowledge, letting feelings pass through you, with an understanding of what is written between the lines.

I really liked your questions. Every time I immersed myself in reflections on life, philosophized, reasoned logically, interpreting with knowledge and my established views and understanding of the world. Thank you so much for inviting me to the conversation.

NATALIE BISSO is a poet, novelist, essayist, and songwriter. Author of 9 original collections, more than 100 lyrics and 3.5 thousand poems, co-author in more than 120 international collections. The poems have been translated into 34 languages of the world and published in international anthologies in the languages of different countries. Honorary Figure of World Literature and Arts with the award of a silver badge. Takes part in the literary life of different countries. Academician of the International Academy for the Development of Literature and Art; Academician of the International Academy of Russian Literature; corresponding member of the International Academy of Sciences and Arts. Honorary Member of the WRITERS UNION OF NORTH AMERICA, Head of the German Branch of the SPCA, member of the International Union of Authors and Performers (ICAI). Member of the Cámara Internacional de Escritores & Artistas and the World Council of the International Chamber of Writers and Artists CIESART (Spain). Member of the International Union of Writers, member of the Regional Public Foundation for the Promotion of Contemporary Poetry "SVETOCH", member of the International Guild of Writers (Germany), Member of the International Association of Writers and Publicists, Member of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) / Eurasian Creative Guild (ETG/ECG London). Advisor to the International publication of Chinese Literature (Hubei Federation of Literary and Artistic Circles), member of the Jury of international competitions, Ambassador of the International Forum of Creativity and Humanity (IFCH), Member of the European Council and the Intercontinental Advisory Committee RINASCIMENTO-RENAISSANCE Millennium III; Honorary President of Thousand Minds for Mexico (Mexico) and the international jury in Germany, Honorary Member The Union of Spanish-Language Writers (UXE). Multiple Grand Prize-winner and Laureate of international literary and musical competitions; winner of several special international prizes; Holder of six international literary and musical medals and orders, including under the auspices of UNESCO; the title of "Golden Feather of Russia", the title of MAESTRO. The songs are performed on radio "Radar", "Recital", "Phoenix", "WE ARE TOGETHER", AUTORADIO, Radio OK, Radio NG, Talent Park, Ocean+, the video project "Intrigue show". Participant of TV programs on the channel "Artist TV".