10 most famous poems by Evgeny Yevtushenko

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Evgeny Alexandrovich Evtushenko is a Russian poet, whose poems have gained popularity throughout the post-Soviet space, and beyond it. The author's high literary talent was noted even by the world community – he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

But in the post-Soviet space, Yevtushenko is known primarily as a songwriter. And even though he purposefully did not write the lyrics to musical compositions, his poems often fell on guitar searches of representatives of the author's song. For example, the cult film 'Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!' begins precisely with a composition to the words of Evgeny Alexandrovich Yevtushenko.

This popularity is largely due to the unusual structure of Yevtushenko's poems. In his works, he combined classical, lyrical elements with a modern, almost futuristic-avant-garde structure. His poems are characterized by melodiousness, and their themes are close to every person.

And in order to remember the work of this cult poet, we have compiled a rating of the 10 most famous poems of Yevtushenko. For placement in the top, data from search engines were used. The more often a verse is mentioned, the higher its place in the rating.

Review of the most famous poems by Evgeny Yevtushenko

Nomination	a place	Composition	rating
Review of the most famous poems by Evgeny Yevtushenko	10	'Prologue (I am different …)', 1955	4.1
	9	'Anger', 1955	4.2
	8	'Alder earring', 1975	4.3
	7	'Do the Russians Want War?', 1961	4.4
	6	'Babi Yar', 1961	4.5
	5	'There are no uninteresting people in the world …', 1961	4.6
	4	'White snows are falling …', 1965	4.7
	3	'God forbid!', 1990	4.8
	2	'This is what is happening to me …', 1957	4.9
	1	'And it Snows', 1961	5.0

10th place: 'Prologue (I am different …)', 1955

Rating: 4.1

Glory to Yevgeny Yevtushenko, a Russian poet from a northern city with a telling name Zima, came in the first half of the 1950s. It was then that his first collections of poems came out, as well as several full-fledged poems. And they already demonstrated the vector of Yevgeny Alexandrovich's creativity – the glorification of the romance of the common man, his lyrical problems against the background of the mood of discoverers and conquest.

In 1955, the collection 'The Third Snow' was released, which began with the poem 'Prologue (I am different …)'. At first, an inexperienced glance, it may seem like something between self-presentation and self-praise. But, in fact, it demonstrates Yevtushenko's special approach to creativity – its accessibility, even a certain 'earthiness'. The author-character of the verse is the same person as his readers, with the same aspirations, desires, dreams and problems.

However, not everyone could see this self-representation of the author-character. In 1962, a parody verse by Eduard Asadov, another famous Soviet poet, best known for the final line – 'I am a child prodigy. And even underwood. '

9th place: 'Anger', 1955

Rating: 4.2

One of Yevtushenko's most controversial poems, 'Anger', talks about an unusual attitude towards life. Unlike other authors who praise virtue in its purest form, Evgeny Alexandrovich speaks of the need to defend his opinion and himself. Even with fists if need be.

No wonder the epigraph to this verse is the famous saying “Good must be with fists.” In the first stanzas, the character-author tells that he would like to be good, but society did not allow these qualities to develop. Therefore, he became evil – but not an operetta villain who adds poison to the central city water supply.

Anger for Yevtushenko is a way of survival and coexistence in the modern world. A person should be prepared for the fact that those around him are not very good people, capable of both betrayal and self-interest. And therefore, you need to tune in to this in advance, without opening and not trusting. In addition, from the point of view of the author, anger is a way of protecting one's opinion, fighting injustice and untruth. And if something goes wrong in the world, you should not blow the dust off Christian morals and humbly turn the next cheek. You have to be angry to defend yourself.

8th place: 'Alder earring', 1975

Rating: 4.3

One of Yevtushenko's most melodic poems, 'Alder Earring' is an example of how the poet raises existential questions in his work. Once again, far from the first time, he compares life with a journey without a specific goal. Say, staying at one pier, sooner or later we realize that there is no final pier, and it's time to go further.

'Alder earring' is a verse about letting go. That it is not required to be attached to things, to deeds and state. And at any moment you need to be ready to go on a further journey, especially since this desire is part of human nature. We like coziness and comfort, but the longer we live in this state, the more the trains leaving into the distance beckon.

And the poem uses a very expressive image. Alder seed, 'catkins', small, thin and light. She travels with the wind – and the slightest breeze is enough to make her jump. Yevtushenko compares many problems and things with this alder seed – they need to be released so that they go away easily and do not remain a burden on the soul, tying us to the same state.

In the future, 'Alder Earring' was regularly sung by a variety of singers – from professional to amateurs.

7th place: 'Do the Russians want wars?', 1961

Rating: 4.4

Many of Yevgeny Yevtushenko's poems are called prophetic. And this work, written back in 1961, but gaining special relevance right now, is one example of how this Soviet poet knew how to look into the distant future.

Of course, in 1961, when the echo of the Great Patriotic War was especially strong, but at the same time, a race between the two superpowers – the USSR and the United States – was developing, threatening to move from technological confrontation into an armed conflict – this poem was also relevant. But in those days it was not so loudly talked about the aggression of Russia as it is now.

And let any sane person understand that in the second half of the 2010s Russia was playing a far from fair game in the international arena, it is worth separating the people and the state. And people, ordinary, common people – from housewives to engineers, from supermarkets to lawyers – want only one thing: a peaceful, clear sky overhead. And that is what the poem says. Yes, to quote the author, Russians know how to fight. But they don't want it.

In 1961, this poem formed the basis of the song. It was first performed by Mark Bernes, and later it was also performed by Georgiy Ots, the Pyatnitsky choir and other musicians. And in 1962, the artist Yuri Gorelov painted a picture based on her motives. In addition, the song 'Do the Russians want war?' periodically tried to ban GlavPUR (Main Political Directorate of the Soviet Army and Navy of the USSR) because of its pacifism and demoralizing effect on soldiers.

6th place: 'Babi Yar', 1961

Rating: 4.5

Babiy Yar is a small tract located to the northwest of the center of Kiev. Now it is a city park, surrounded by ordinary residential areas, with supermarkets, medical academies and post offices. And 75 years ago, during the Great Patriotic War, it was the center of mass executions.

It was here that the German fascist invaders executed those prisoners who were considered insufficiently racially pure. According to some estimates, more than 150 thousand people are buried in Babi Yar – mostly Jews and Gypsies. Also, Soviet prisoners of war died here. Babi Yar tragically entered the history of the Holocaust – the mass persecution and extermination of Jews.

And this event is dedicated to the poem 'Babi Yar' by Evgeny Yevtushenko. In it, he recalls the innocently shot Jews and expresses the hope that sooner or later anti-Semitism will disappear in any of its manifestations. The poem emphasizes that the Russian people are international by nature, and therefore there should be no persecution of these or those representatives. And, of course, Babi Yar is just a symbol that unfolds in the future to demonstrate the pacifism of the author-character.

5th place: 'There are no uninteresting people in the world …', 1961

Rating: 4.6

Yevgeny Yevtushenko's lyrics are imbued with philanthropy and humanism, which is especially evident in the poem dedicated to the journalist SN Preobrazhensky 'There are no uninteresting people in the world …'. In it, the author reflects on the value of each life.

According to Yevtushenko, the life of every person is as large and important as the fate of the whole planet. But she is able to show this brightness only after death. After all, we realize the importance of each person only when he leaves – and together with him takes every part of his history. And no one else will be able to share stories about the first snow, about the first kiss, about the first fight.

In this philosophical work, the author compares people with whole worlds. And nothing can stop them from leaving. This inevitability, this hopelessness frightens the author, which is shown in the last lines.

“There are no uninteresting people in the world …” – one of the few poems by Evgeny Yevtushenko included in the modern school curriculum. True, now it is viewed exclusively from a humanistic point of view. During the years of its first publication, it was also a vivid political statement, since the ideology of the Soviet Union provided for the supremacy of society over the individual, erasing the achievements and events in the lives of certain people.

Like many other poems by Yevtushenko, “There are no uninteresting people in the world …” was repeatedly set to music. However, it is performed mainly by amateur singers.

4th place: 'White snows are falling …', 1965

Rating: 4.7

“White snows are falling …” is an example of Yevgeny Yevtushenko's philosophical and patriotic lyrics at the same time. In this poem, the author raises the questions of death and immortality – attempts to leave a 'miraculous monument' in people's thoughts.

While other poems by Yevtushenko are filled with admiration – albeit tragic – about the fate of individuals, in 'The White Snows are Falling …', on the contrary, there is a certain fatalism, fear and even meaninglessness of life in front of nature. Even after death, the world will be the same as it was 200 years ago. Snow will still fall.

But at the same time, in the work, the author emphasizes his love for Russia. He speaks about it in plain text, without metaphors and unnecessary philosophizing. And although he does not count on eternal fame and memory (the poem was written at a time when Yevtushenko's work was actively criticized), he still hopes that he helped Russia become greater.

Well, now we can safely say that the author's hopes have come true. Evgeny Evtushenko is one of the most famous poets of the XX-XXI centuries. His lyrics are loved all over the world, and his name is inextricably linked with the modern history of Russia as a country and as a state.

3rd place: 'God forbid!', 1990

Rating: 4.8

In the late 1980s, Evgeny Yevtushenko, a man who really loved Russia, could not stand its perestroika destruction and went into politics. And even managed to become a deputy of one of the territorial districts of Kharkov! And, of course, his active civic position manifested itself in his work.

Prayer verse 'God grant!' reflects the position of the author. He no longer relies on his own human strength and relies on 'outside interference'. The poet's attitude to statehood is also manifested in the poem – he hopes that the country will not become cruel towards fellow citizens, and fellow citizens will be able to accept the existence of other countries, but at the same time they will not lose patriotism.

Symbolically, but only a few months after the publication of this poem, Yevgeny Yevtushenko left the country. He went to the United States, where he began teaching at the university, and where he lived out his last days. From time to time he returned to Russia – but not for long. The state has changed too much and continued to change in front of the great poet.

2nd place: 'This is what is happening to me …', 1957

Rating: 4.9

The song 'This is what is happening to me …' is probably known to every person born in the post-Soviet space. After all, it is with her that the film 'Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!' Begins, which, as usual, is shown on state television every year on December 31. This picture – like the song – has become a real symbol of the new year, even if their mood is very controversial and by no means festive.

And it was Yevtushenko who became the author of the lyrics for the song. More precisely, in 1957 he wrote this poem, which raises questions of everyday philosophy – that we often have not what we want at all, but are forced to be content with it – and the situation itself causes melancholy and sadness. The work that we are looking for close souls, but we find God knows what, was dedicated to Bella Akhmadulina, the famous Soviet poetess. And in 1975 a film was released, which glorified this poem.

And it was not for nothing that it was chosen as the epigraph to the motion picture. After all, the story of Zhenya Lukashin is just a story about close souls, once disunited, but now finally finding each other. Although, if you look at what is happening in the picture from the point of view of Hippolytus …

1st place: 'And it snows', 1961

Rating: 5.0

Yevgeny Yevtushenko is quite famous as a songwriter, and 'And it Snows', one of the most popular New Year compositions of the Soviet era, is a vivid confirmation of this. The author wrote the words to her purposefully. That is, unlike previous works, the poems 'And it is snowing' were not published in poetry.

For the first time the song was performed in 1961, in the film 'Dima Gorin's Career', and, thanks to its romantic and minor mood, almost immediately became popular among the people. Even despite the fact that in the film itself, she turned out to be 'blurry': she was now and then drowned out by congratulations, then the speech of Vladimir Vysotsky in the role of Sofron's driver.

In the future, the song was regularly covered, even in the post-Soviet space. For example, in 2004 a version of the composition performed by Zhanna Aguzarova was released, which is now known to the younger generation (primarily due to the incredibly active rotation on radio stations). However, representatives of the older generation remembered her performed by Maya Kristalinskaya.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.