Well, I can tell you from actual experience. My best intellectual work of my sixty years here on the third rock from the sun has been produced from right here, smack dab in the middle of the Russo-Ukrainian War. In fact, the art being created within Ukraine is of a nature that one cannot describe. It is rising from soldiers in the trenches; people displaced from their homes; families who have lost everything; families of fallen soldiers; residents of ruined cities; residents of cities that are constantly under attack. So, yes, we are holding the line against the russian horde and still creating. We have nothing to lose but our lives and so the typical artistic conventions don't hold us back. We create because we are free. We create until we die.
I'm so glad I found this. In my culture, Georgian culture, the writer's are more motivated to write during the harsh times. Soviet union era saw our most prominent writers who were going against the regime through their writing. And even now with the current situation I can see the uprising of those who have dreamed of writing but never did until now. Until they became so enraged by the situation that they decided to put it into poems. I believe that this is when we should write the most.
What a timely read. These were the very thoughts I woke to, wondering if I should depress people by writing about world events, or annoy some by skirting them, to pretend that beauty lives in a bubble and allowing them to spend as much time in that bubble as they please. Balancing these worlds can be tricky. Great quotes by Lewis. Thank you!
There are no favourable conditions. War, pestilence and travesty are as important a time for creation and expression as any other, if not more so. One must fulfil their vocation.
I think this sentiment is perfect and while I have often forgotten it and gotten caught up in the immediate moment, I think it is a worthy reminder. I think this is also why I have always enjoyed Matthew 24: 6 which says: "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed." Because of course that is all of history, wars and rumors of wars.
can't wait to use this as a prologue to set the scene for my creative writing students next semester. i've been trying to figure out how to say, "hey your stories matter" amidst Everything, and this was it. thank you <3
I needed so much to read this. Even though I live in Brazil, far away from the center of these conflicts, it takes a lot of energy to keep going. But we must, it is our vocation. Thank you for the texts recommendations and, of course, for your moving text.
Excellent text. There is a book by Azar Nafisi (Reading Lolita in Tehran) where she writes, among other things, how reading English and Russian classics helped her through the Iran Iraq wars. I never thought I'd agree so much with Lewis.
That was really insightful, relevant, helpful, thanks Andrew. This was one of my favorite bits.
to fight ‘the long defeat’, knowing that all our best efforts will fall short in some way or another.
Thank you Weston :) we fight the long defeat together!
Yes we do- what else can we do?
What else is a heaven for?
What an excellent commentary for current times. Thank you!
Thank you! :) glad you enjoyed
Well, I can tell you from actual experience. My best intellectual work of my sixty years here on the third rock from the sun has been produced from right here, smack dab in the middle of the Russo-Ukrainian War. In fact, the art being created within Ukraine is of a nature that one cannot describe. It is rising from soldiers in the trenches; people displaced from their homes; families who have lost everything; families of fallen soldiers; residents of ruined cities; residents of cities that are constantly under attack. So, yes, we are holding the line against the russian horde and still creating. We have nothing to lose but our lives and so the typical artistic conventions don't hold us back. We create because we are free. We create until we die.
I'm so glad I found this. In my culture, Georgian culture, the writer's are more motivated to write during the harsh times. Soviet union era saw our most prominent writers who were going against the regime through their writing. And even now with the current situation I can see the uprising of those who have dreamed of writing but never did until now. Until they became so enraged by the situation that they decided to put it into poems. I believe that this is when we should write the most.
Thank you for this comment about poetry and writing in your culture!! I have so much to learn, especially about this period of history.
What a timely read. These were the very thoughts I woke to, wondering if I should depress people by writing about world events, or annoy some by skirting them, to pretend that beauty lives in a bubble and allowing them to spend as much time in that bubble as they please. Balancing these worlds can be tricky. Great quotes by Lewis. Thank you!
There are no favourable conditions. War, pestilence and travesty are as important a time for creation and expression as any other, if not more so. One must fulfil their vocation.
so utterly beautiful ! a curtain pull into the epistemology of human creation in a world of constant “unfavourable conditions”
I think this sentiment is perfect and while I have often forgotten it and gotten caught up in the immediate moment, I think it is a worthy reminder. I think this is also why I have always enjoyed Matthew 24: 6 which says: "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed." Because of course that is all of history, wars and rumors of wars.
Great point! That is a good life application of that verse.
Awesome piece, thanks!
this was so beautifully written and felt like a warm ball of sunshine to read. one of the best things ive read this week.
can't wait to use this as a prologue to set the scene for my creative writing students next semester. i've been trying to figure out how to say, "hey your stories matter" amidst Everything, and this was it. thank you <3
This is awesome! Say hello to your students for me haha
This is a really stellar analysis & commentary! Key points for the times.
I needed so much to read this. Even though I live in Brazil, far away from the center of these conflicts, it takes a lot of energy to keep going. But we must, it is our vocation. Thank you for the texts recommendations and, of course, for your moving text.
Thank you for sharing this. Very insightful and definitely curbs some, if not all, the anxiety of a writer in present times
A fighting man should be an educated man, there are lessons to be found in old books. I think Churchill once said history is the one true philosophy.
Besides, after war is over we need to know how to pick up the pieces, perhaps even build something better from the ashes.
Excellent text. There is a book by Azar Nafisi (Reading Lolita in Tehran) where she writes, among other things, how reading English and Russian classics helped her through the Iran Iraq wars. I never thought I'd agree so much with Lewis.