Tone Pavček

Tone Pavček (; 29 September 1928 – 21 October 2011) was one of the most influential Slovene poets, translators, and essayists from the first post-war generation. He published numerous collections of poetry, well received by readers and critics alike. He also translated a number of Russian works into Slovene.

Biography

Early life Tone Pavček was born on 29 September 1928 at Šentjurij in southeastern Slovenia. He attended the first grade of elementary school in Mirna Peč, but was soon sent to a boarding school in Ljubljana. There he graduated from a classical high school, and went on to study law, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1954, although he never performed legal services.

Professional career In 1955 Pavček started working as journalist for the daily newspapers (Ljubljana Daily) and (People's Justice). In 1958 he worked as a journalist and later a programme director at RTV Slovenia, a position he held until 1972. In the late 1960s he was involved in the Slovenization of the national television, taking part in productions of well-received children's series such as and , the notable series for the general public and , and a memorable television film .

From 1972 to his retirement in 1990, he was editor-in-chief of the press, a major publisher at the time in Slovenia.

For a period of four years, starting in 1963, he was also an art director for the Slovenian Youth Theatre in Ljubljana. He presided over the Slovenian Writers Association from 1979 to 1983. Pavček took part in a public rally on Congress Square on 8 May 1989, where he read the May Declaration, the first public document demanding Slovenia's independence from Yugoslavia.

Late life In 1990 Pavček retired and retreated from public life. He remained a frequent guest at literary and cultural events, visiting libraries, schools, and other public institutions. In 1996 he became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and in 2001 a member of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts. He was awarded the Golden Order for Merits of the Republic of Slovenia in 2009.

Writing Throughout his life, he was devoted to literature as poet, author of children's books and translator. From his first published poems in (Poems of the Four, 1953) to his final pages of (Angels, 2012) his poetry is entwined with vitalism and positive attitudes towards life. His poetry for children gained a wide audience due to its original fairy-tale motifs, integrating fantasy and folk elements. Especially important are his translations of Russian literature. He received the Prešeren Fund Award (1965) and Grand Prešeren Award (1986) for his collections of poems (Trapped Ocean) and (Heritage).

For children In his numerous fairy tales, picture books, and verses, Pavček's children's poetry is extremely popular with younger readers. Through words and rhythm, sparkling with wit and optimism, he is able to communicate to his readers on a personal level, inviting them to relive their own experiences.

One of his best-known children's books is (Jurij Muri in Africa: About Boy Who Didn't Like to Wash, 1958), which had three sequels: the last one entitled (Juri Muri around Slovenia) in 2011.

Translations Pavček is notable for translations of his contemporaries, especially the Russian poets Sergei Yesenin, Vladimir Mayakovsky, Anna Akhmatova, Boris Pasternak, Marina Tsvetaeva, and Nikolay Zabolotsky.