Post #1Kyrre Johannesen wrote on December 29, 2009 at 8:52am
Does anyone know of Georgian references to Norwegian writer Knut Hamsun's travel in the Caucasus region and Georgia?I'v been looking for such for some time without finding it.
Post #2
Giorgi Kvatchadze (American University in Bulgaria) wroteo n January 12, 2010 at 12:01pm
The books of Knut Hamsun are still adorning shelves of my library. Unbeliavably fine writer, whom I owe a lot of nice memories and splendidly spent time of my childhood. There are Knut Hamsun's references and descriptions of his travel through the caucasus in Georgian language, however I am not aware of any English version. He seemed quite influenced by this journey, and particularly by Georgia. (Excuse me Mr. Kyrre for such a delayed comment, but hitherto I have not encountered your post. Now I randomly did while skimming through some other posts) If you have any other question regarding Hamsun's travel in the Caucasus, I will be more than happy to reply to them.
Post #3
Kyrre Johannesen wrote on January 12, 2010 at 12:11pm
Thank you so much.I'd love to have those Hamsun-references even if they are in Georgian.
Unfortunately I don't speak the language yet, but I'm trying to learn it.
Any references will be gold for me. I have this old dream to travel in Hamsun's "footsteps" so to say in Georgia, and I have been loking for these references for some time. I know that there has been a Hamsun day i Tbilisi in November 2009 and I have a hope to find out something from that source. Georgia is such a fascinating country, and my dream stays. I thank you for your answer and I'd be so grateful if you could send the references you know.
All the best.Kyrre.
Post #4
Giorgi Kvatchadze (American University in Bulgaria) wrote on January 12, 2010 at 12:20pm
My pleasure. I will do my best to find online versions of those sources that I have in hard copy in here. By the way I myself attended the opening of Knut Hamsun's bas-relief in my home city-Batumi. Also I have his 'Mysteries' in Georgian langauge ( check it out on the following link>>> ). I will be further checking if any version of his 'Journey to the Caucasus' is available. I appreciate your valuable respect for my country.
Post #5
Kyrre Johannesen wrote on January 12, 2010 at 12:29pm
Thank you so much. I am so grateful. This brings me a step closer to my dream. Your links are interesting to me, especially your Hamsun bas-relief in the beautiful city Batumi. This lifted my day, Giorgi Kvatchadze. By the way I was born in Lofoten region which is not far from Hamarøy, where Hamsun lived some years of his life and in some of his books the influence from nature scenery in these regions of Norway is visible. Kyrre J.
Report
Post #6
Giorgi Kvatchadze (American University in Bulgaria) wrote on January 12, 2010 at 12:31pm
(Here you will see the place in Tbilisi where Knut Hamsun stayed during his stay in Georgia >>>)
Report
Post #7
Giorgi Kvatchadze (American University in Bulgaria) wrote on January 12, 2010 at 12:34pm
Knut Hamsun is very specially admired and revered here in Georgia. I dont know how is it in the other part of the world.
Report
Post #8
Kyrre Johannesen wrote on January 12, 2010 at 12:52pm
Well, in my home country, Norway it seems we can never rest the debate on Hamsun. Most people have strong positive view on his literature, and at the same time many cannot forget what position he took for Germany against England and our government abroad during the second world war. My father, Karl Johannesen fought against the german army in Narvik in 1942, (I will send a ref. to a book about this battle if you would be interested) and he didn't appreciate Hamsun's activity during the war, but he never stopped telling me wonderfully about how much he loved Hamsun's books. So you know, my heritige is part of my dream, and I intend to fullfill it some time. Your answer is so positive for me, and it seems I have not been looking closely enough to find some of the references you gave. I thank you so much again. Kyrre.
Report
Post #9
Giorgi Kvatchadze (American University in Bulgaria) wrote on January 12, 2010 at 1:06pm
You are more than welcome sir. I will be providing more interesting links and resources once they are at my disposition. Yes, indeed Hamsun remains highly debatable person in regards with his views on Nazi Germany during the world war 2, however this cant overshadow legacy and geniality of his literature. He is not the sole non-German writer though who is accused of suppoorting the Nazi Germany. Outstanding Georgian novelist Grigol Robaqidze is also commonly slammed for his inclination towards the Nazi Germany, and particularly towards Hitler. It seems to me that Hamsun's relation to Nazi Germany is as ambivalent and mysterious as his 'Mysteries' and all his literature. Your interest to the subject seems to me very stunning and special. Hence, I will keep in touch with you more frequently, albeit not tonight, as it's too late for Georgian time now. However, I am glad we contacted each other due to the common interest in Hamsun's litelature and his weltanschauung. It was nice to talk with you. Have a good night. Sincerely,Giorgi
Post #4
Giorgi Kvatchadze (American University in Bulgaria) wrote on January 12, 2010 at 12:20pm
My pleasure. I will do my best to find online versions of those sources that I have in hard copy in here. By the way I myself attended the opening of Knut Hamsun's bas-relief in my home city-Batumi. Also I have his 'Mysteries' in Georgian langauge ( check it out on the following link>>> ). I will be further checking if any version of his 'Journey to the Caucasus' is available. I appreciate your valuable respect for my country.
Post #5
Kyrre Johannesen wrote on January 12, 2010 at 12:29pm
Thank you so much. I am so grateful. This brings me a step closer to my dream. Your links are interesting to me, especially your Hamsun bas-relief in the beautiful city Batumi. This lifted my day, Giorgi Kvatchadze. By the way I was born in Lofoten region which is not far from Hamarøy, where Hamsun lived some years of his life and in some of his books the influence from nature scenery in these regions of Norway is visible. Kyrre J.
Report
Post #6
Giorgi Kvatchadze (American University in Bulgaria) wrote on January 12, 2010 at 12:31pm
(Here you will see the place in Tbilisi where Knut Hamsun stayed during his stay in Georgia >>>)
Report
Post #7
Giorgi Kvatchadze (American University in Bulgaria) wrote on January 12, 2010 at 12:34pm
Knut Hamsun is very specially admired and revered here in Georgia. I dont know how is it in the other part of the world.
Report
Post #8
Kyrre Johannesen wrote on January 12, 2010 at 12:52pm
Well, in my home country, Norway it seems we can never rest the debate on Hamsun. Most people have strong positive view on his literature, and at the same time many cannot forget what position he took for Germany against England and our government abroad during the second world war. My father, Karl Johannesen fought against the german army in Narvik in 1942, (I will send a ref. to a book about this battle if you would be interested) and he didn't appreciate Hamsun's activity during the war, but he never stopped telling me wonderfully about how much he loved Hamsun's books. So you know, my heritige is part of my dream, and I intend to fullfill it some time. Your answer is so positive for me, and it seems I have not been looking closely enough to find some of the references you gave. I thank you so much again. Kyrre.
Report
Post #9
Giorgi Kvatchadze (American University in Bulgaria) wrote on January 12, 2010 at 1:06pm
You are more than welcome sir. I will be providing more interesting links and resources once they are at my disposition. Yes, indeed Hamsun remains highly debatable person in regards with his views on Nazi Germany during the world war 2, however this cant overshadow legacy and geniality of his literature. He is not the sole non-German writer though who is accused of suppoorting the Nazi Germany. Outstanding Georgian novelist Grigol Robaqidze is also commonly slammed for his inclination towards the Nazi Germany, and particularly towards Hitler. It seems to me that Hamsun's relation to Nazi Germany is as ambivalent and mysterious as his 'Mysteries' and all his literature. Your interest to the subject seems to me very stunning and special. Hence, I will keep in touch with you more frequently, albeit not tonight, as it's too late for Georgian time now. However, I am glad we contacted each other due to the common interest in Hamsun's litelature and his weltanschauung. It was nice to talk with you. Have a good night. Sincerely,Giorgi
1 comment:
Lächerlich Knut Hamsuns Rolle als Verfechter eines faschistischen Regimes so klein zu schreiben. In keinster Weise ist sein Verhältnis zum Nazi-Regime als "ambivalent und mysteriös" zu bezeichen. Im Genegenteil, war er es doch der Konzentrationslager und die Vernichtungspolitik Adolf Hitlers, selbst nach Ende des Zweiten Weltkriegs weiterhin gerechtfertigt hat. Insofern ist die Knonversation zwischen den Beiden, eine üble Art der Geschichtsverklitterung.
Post a Comment