The Absolute Nonsense of Daniil Kharms

[Prestidigitweeze]

An acquaintance of mine has just published a translation of a series of poems by Daniil Kharms (a/k/a, Daniel Charms) in the current issue of the online magazine, Numéro Cinq. Kharms was a laconic -- and at times hilariously abrasive -- Russian absurdist playwright and poet whose staggeringly inclusive artistic aims earned him the negative scrutiny of Joseph Stalin, who had certain of Kharms's works purged forever from the libraries of the earth.

Have a look and see what you think -- especially if you're already a fan of theater of the absurd and Russian futurist poetry and drama (specifically Khlebnikov). You might also be interested in the translator's introduction to Kharms's work, which gives an overview of his period and context (1905-42).

The Absolute Nonsense of Daniil Kharms