Probably, nowhere in the world is there such an abundance of talents as in Russia. Perhaps this is due to the amazing qualities of a subtle and sensitive Russian soul. One of the unforgettable and vivid representatives of the times of the Soviet and post-Soviet times was Konstantin Yakovlevich Vanshenkin. Remember the famous lines “I love you, life ...” or “Standing over the mountain Alyosha ...”? Of course, the author of immortal texts Konstantin Vanshenkin is well acquainted with everyone. The author’s biography is quite typical for a Soviet citizen, but his whole life is filled with creativity and inspiration.
Roots of talent
The poet Konstantin Vanshenkin was born almost a century ago, in December 1925, in an intelligent Moscow family. The boy grew up in an atmosphere of deep mutual respect and love. Konstantin's parents loved poetry very much, so poems often sounded in the family. And therefore, at an early age, the boy was seriously interested in writing. It was then that the dream of a literary future was born.
But life is full of the most unexpected and sometimes terrible moments. It is regrettable, but the Great Patriotic War for millions of Soviet people became a dividing line between the past and the future. Any boy was ready to fight against a crazy enemy - Nazism. So very young, barely able to finish school, Konstantin Vanshenkin went fearlessly to defend his homeland from the enemy. He participated in several military operations and was discharged with the rank of sergeant.
Of course, the events of those years left a deep bleeding mark in the soul of an impressionable young man. And therefore, in the works of the following years there are a lot of works devoted to military subjects.
Creative way
After the war, many young people turned off the previously planned path in a noble impulse to devote their lives to serving the homeland. The guys went to get the profession of builders and machinists. So the world almost lost a talented author. Immediately after the war, the young Konstantin Vanshenkin went to conquer the exploration department. But you won’t go against nature. A year later, the creative nature of the future poet triumphed over reason, leading the young talent to a literary education.
The poetry of Konstantin Vanshenkin became a reflection of simple and understandable experiences. Each Soviet man easily recognized in the heroes of the works of himself and his relatives, a neighbor’s boy and a blond girl, a Russian soldier. A simple and so close to an ordinary person philosophy of truly popular poems allows the poet's work to remain relevant to this day.
Vanshenkin’s works are in many respects a touch of autobiography. A considerable influence on the work of the author was exerted by her beloved wife - the poetess Inna Goff. It was this woman who served as a source of inspiration for the love lyrics of Konstantin Vanshenkin. And the last works of the author, written after the death of her beloved, are riddled with longing and pain.
Main creations
The first poems of the author were published in 1948. But the first fame came to the poet in 1951 with the advent of the poem "The Boy." It greatly touched the hearts of Soviet people, and therefore became the starting point for a promising author. Over the course of his life, the author was able to show the world several thematic collections that the reader loved about his honesty and openness. He also became famous precisely as the author of many song masterpieces Konstantin Vanshenkin. Poems, reborn in songs, were filled with new meanings and found a response in any soul. The most popular songs for many years were those written in close collaboration with E. Kolmanovsky and Y. Frenkel, such as Alyosha, I Love You, Life, The Waltz of Parting, Zhenya and others.
It is noteworthy that Konstantin Vanshenkin was not limited to poetry alone. Already in the early 60s, a talented author began to try his hand at prose. So the stories appeared: “Army Youth”, “Avdyushin and Yegorychev”, “Big Fires”, “Carafe with a Rooster”. The author’s stories were also published.
Awards
Konstantin Vanshenkin lived a long and dignified life, which ended in 2012 two days before the 87th anniversary. The author remained in the memory of admirers of his talent as a bright, intelligent hard worker, who, however, managed to conquer the most important peaks for the creator.
The poet and writer made an invaluable contribution to Russian culture and was repeatedly awarded the highest state awards and orders. But the most important award, of course, was the recognition and love of the people.