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Breyten Breytenbach

ブレイテン・ブレイテンバッハ

Breyten Breytenbach

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1939-09-16 (Bonnievale, Western Cape, Union of South Africa)
Died
2024-11-24 (Paris, France) age 85
Nationality
South Africa, France
Languages
Afrikaans, English
Religion
Zen Buddhism
Residence History
Bonnievale (birthplace) → London (residence) → Paris (long-term residence)

Career

Occupations
poet, painter, novelist, essayist, activist, professor
Active Years
1960-2024
Affiliations
Sestigers (literary movement), Gorée Institute (founding member; former executive director)
Memberships
Sestigers (founding member)
Influenced By
Francisco Goya, Hieronymus Bosch, François Villon
Influenced
Younger South African poets and writers (broad influence)

Education

University of Cape Town (Michaelis School of Fine Art)
Fine Art / Philology / Michaelis School of Fine Art / Philology-related
Country: South Africa
Studied fine art and philology. Exact graduation year unknown.

Awards

Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur
Organization: French Republic
Result: 受賞
Commandeur des Arts et Lettres
Organization: Ministry of Culture (France)
Result: 受賞
Zbigniew Herbert International Literary Award
2017
Organization: Herbert Foundation
Result: 受賞
Anisfield-Wolf Book Award (Fiction)
1985
Work: Mouroir: Mirror Notes of a Novel
Organization: Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards
Result: 受賞
Alan Paton Award
1994
Work: Return to Paradise
Organization: Alan Paton Award (South Africa)
Result: 受賞
CNA Award (multiple times)
Work: Multiple works (e.g. Die huis van die dowe, Kouevuur, Lotus, etc.)
Organization: CNA (South Africa)
Result: 受賞(複数)
Hertzog Prize
2008
Work: Die windvanger
Organization: Hertzog Prize committee
Result: 受賞
Mahmoud Darwish Award for Creativity
2010
Work: Outre Voix / Voice Over
Organization: Mahmoud Darwish Award
Result: 受賞
Max Jacob Prize
2010
Work: Outre Voix / Voice Over
Organization: Max Jacob Prize (France)
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Die ysterkoei moet sweet (The Iron Cow Must Sweat)

1964 poetry

A groundbreaking 1964 poetry collection noted for experimental verse that departed from traditional metres.

dissentlanguage and identity
Translations
  • Available in English translation

Skryt. Painting Blue a Sinking Ship

1972 poetry/essay

Work about his experience in exile; was banned from sale in South Africa at the time.

exilepolitical repression

Mouroir: Mirror Notes of a Novel

1983 novel / prison writing

Written during imprisonment; depicts prison experiences and fragmented identity.

imprisonmentsplit identityfreedom of expression

Return to Paradise

1992 non-fiction / journal

A journal of travels and reflections on Africa; winner of the Alan Paton Award.

travelmemorypolitics

Die windvanger (The Windcatcher)

2007 poetry

A mature collection of poems that won several literary prizes.

agelossforgiveness

Bibliography

  • Die ysterkoei moet sweet (1964)
  • Die huis van die dowe (1967)
  • Kouevuur (1969)
  • Lotus (1970)
  • Skryt (1972)
  • Mouroir (1983)
  • Return to Paradise (1992)
  • Die windvanger (2007)

Translations of Works

  • Translated into many languages (English, French, Dutch, German, Arabic, Polish, etc.)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
experimentaldissidentfragmentaryimagistic
Recurring Motifs
exile and returnimprisonment and freedomlanguage and identityanimals and captivity imagery

Legacy

Breytenbach was a major dissident poet in Afrikaans literature and an internationally recognized painter. Through exile and imprisonment he explored language, politics and identity, influencing generations of writers and poets.

Museums

  • Stevenson Gallery (solo exhibition) Cape Town, South Africa

Archives

  • Materials held by South African History Online and related archives

In Popular Culture

  • Mentioned by name in the satirical song "(I've Never Met) A Nice South African"
  • Basque rock band Berri Txarrak dedicated the song "Breyten" to him

Quotes

  • "I'd never reject Afrikaans as a language, but I reject it as part of the Afrikaner political identity. I no longer consider myself an Afrikaner."
    Source: The New York Times (interview) (1983)

Trivia

  • Arrested in 1975 after entering South Africa on a false passport; served seven years and was released in 1982 following international protest and French intervention.
  • Younger brother of Jan Breytenbach (SADF commander) and brother of photographer Cloete Breytenbach.
  • Acquired French citizenship in 1982 and lived primarily in Paris thereafter.
  • Practised Zen Buddhism.
  • Wrote mainly in Afrikaans but also in English; many works translated into numerous languages.