Ryhor Baradulin: "When you die, you don't feel death..." (photo)
Belarus people's poet Ryhor Baradulin gives the first interview after three weeks at intensive care to the European Radio for Belarus. The news that Ryhor Baradulin, the People's Poet of Belarus, on February 14 was admitted to an intensive care unit, scared greatly his fans and supporters. He was even forced to celebrate his 75th birthday in a hospital bed. Now that Baradulin has been transferred from the intensive care to the therapy department, Euroradio has visited Uncle Ryhor. We asked if the poet was scared himself when his life was at stake.
Ryhor Baradulin: I did not have time… You know, when you are dying, you are not feeling death. Simply, I felt uncomfortable being sick. But I did not have a feeling that I was passing away. I hope I will get out of this.
In the first week in the intensive care, Ryhor Baradulin stayed in bed because of high temperature. He was diagnozed with pneumonia -- not the easiest thing for a 75-year-old man. Even his wife was not allowed access to the husband in the first days. There were rumors that he was on artificial ventilation. Was it true?
Ryhor Baradulin: I was conscious most of the time. I have realized what it means when they say "to cut off oxygen", because I was connected to the oxygen supply. Generally, it is better to be healthy than sick. But I had no time to get scared. These lines have even come to my mind: "And the fear will not answer how death smells..." Funny lines.
The poet was admitted to the hospital of the presidential administration. Was he treated well after having opposed numerously to the current authorities?
Ryhor Baradulin: Very well! I thank them very much! I would have died without them. I am very grateful!
On February 24 when the poet turned 75, Baradulin was still in the intensive care. It was not allowed to pass flowers. Did he receive any congratulations?
Ryhor Baradulin: Congratulations were sent to the home address. There were many from friends, including from abroad. There were also congratulations from the culture minister, foreign minister and the Ushachy district council. Before they would pretend I was not in existence, but it has changed somewhat now… When I am discharged, I will look more into detail.
Apart from friends, Ryhor Baradulin was congratulated by Iryna Abelskaya, the hospital's chief doctor. Her flowers were the only ones to reach the poet on his birthday.
Ryhor Baradulin: Yes. She sent 17 roses. She wished health and I thank you for that. Thanks to her, I was treated extremely well. Everybody took a good care of me. I thank her again.
Ryhor Baradulin, People's Poet of Belarus, is improving after three weeks in the intensive care. Doctors hope that he will be discharged in one week.
Рыгор Барадулін, лечкамісія, 7 сакавіка 2010 года
Ryhor Baradulin: I did not have time… You know, when you are dying, you are not feeling death. Simply, I felt uncomfortable being sick. But I did not have a feeling that I was passing away. I hope I will get out of this.
In the first week in the intensive care, Ryhor Baradulin stayed in bed because of high temperature. He was diagnozed with pneumonia -- not the easiest thing for a 75-year-old man. Even his wife was not allowed access to the husband in the first days. There were rumors that he was on artificial ventilation. Was it true?
Ryhor Baradulin: I was conscious most of the time. I have realized what it means when they say "to cut off oxygen", because I was connected to the oxygen supply. Generally, it is better to be healthy than sick. But I had no time to get scared. These lines have even come to my mind: "And the fear will not answer how death smells..." Funny lines.
The poet was admitted to the hospital of the presidential administration. Was he treated well after having opposed numerously to the current authorities?
Ryhor Baradulin: Very well! I thank them very much! I would have died without them. I am very grateful!
On February 24 when the poet turned 75, Baradulin was still in the intensive care. It was not allowed to pass flowers. Did he receive any congratulations?
Ryhor Baradulin: Congratulations were sent to the home address. There were many from friends, including from abroad. There were also congratulations from the culture minister, foreign minister and the Ushachy district council. Before they would pretend I was not in existence, but it has changed somewhat now… When I am discharged, I will look more into detail.
Apart from friends, Ryhor Baradulin was congratulated by Iryna Abelskaya, the hospital's chief doctor. Her flowers were the only ones to reach the poet on his birthday.
Ryhor Baradulin: Yes. She sent 17 roses. She wished health and I thank you for that. Thanks to her, I was treated extremely well. Everybody took a good care of me. I thank her again.
Ryhor Baradulin, People's Poet of Belarus, is improving after three weeks in the intensive care. Doctors hope that he will be discharged in one week.
Рыгор Барадулін, лечкамісія, 7 сакавіка 2010 года
