Ilya Kaminsky

In this conversation, Ilya Kaminsky, a Ukrainian-American poet celebrated for his work 'Deaf Republic,' discusses themes of resistance and deafness in his writing. He details how his experiences shape his storytelling and the parallels between his work and the current situation in Ukraine. Ilya also shares insights on the translation of his work in Ukraine and its stage adaptation, including the integration of sign language. He emphasizes how social media has transformed perceptions of war and highlights the resilience of Ukrainian values in the face of adversity.

The opening poem to Ilya Kaminsky’s masterpiece, “Deaf Republic,” is written in the voice of someone who is confessing their complacency during a time of trial. There’s a war going on, but it doesn’t affect the person speaking, so they don’t get involved. Instead they stayed outside and caught the sun. They lived happily during the war, and are now saying (forgive us). This poem leaves us wondering what it would mean to make such a confession, to ask for forgiveness, and whether it’d do any good.Ilya Kaminsky was born in Odessa, former Soviet Union in 1977, and arrived in the United States in 1993, when his family was granted asylum by the American government. He is the author of Deaf Republic and Dancing In Odessa, and has co-edited and co-translated many other books, including Ecco Anthology of International Poetry and Dark Elderberry Branch: Poems of Marina Tsvetaeva. He holds the Bourne Chair in Poetry at Georgia Institute of Technology and lives in Atlanta.Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org.

Join poets Hanif Abdurraqib, Vievee Francis, Ilya Kaminsky, Li-Young Lee, and Eavan Boland as they delve into the transformative power of poetry. Abdurraqib shares his views on culture and society, while Francis captivates with her evocative imagery. Kaminsky reflects on language and loss, Lee explores the depths of love and identity, and Boland discusses women's experiences. This rich tapestry of voices offers listeners an opportunity for healing and self-discovery through poetry.