Poet Aleh Loyka dies at age of 77

Belarusian poet and critic Aleh Loyka died in Slonim, Hrodna region, on November 19 at the age of 77 after a long illness.

The author of 100 books was born in Slonim on May 1, 1931. He graduated from Belarusian State University in 1953 and chaired the university's Belarusian Literature Department since 1985.

Aleh Loyka was a member of the Belarusian National Academy of Sciences.

He wrote a series of novels dedicated to Yanka Kupala and Francisak Skaryna, research works focusing on modern poetry, a textbook about the history of Belarusian literature, books for Belarusian children, and translated a number of works by French, German, Russian, Ukrainian and Polish poets into the Belarusian language.

Shortly before his death, he sent to a publishing house his 101st book, reminiscences about renowned Belarusian author Uladzimir Karatkevich.

His poetry is distinguished by romantic notes, soft humor and folklore allusions.

It is "sincere, original and genuine," Ales Pashkevich, chairman of the Union of Belarusian Writers, told BelaPAN. "His lectures were a journey of an essayist to the world of literature and literature studies."

"Aleh Loykahas done much for not only generations of students, language and literature teachers but also many generations of poets and writers," he noted. "He has left a vast literature heritage."

The funeral of the poet will be held in Slonim on November 21. //BelaPAN