A Poet Speaks of Art and Liberty

For a Nobel laureate, words are a form of "patient resistance "

Before he was named this year's Nobel laureate in literature, Czech Poet Jaroslav Seifert, 83, was little known outside his homeland. For Czechs, it was a recognition that was overdue: he has long been revered for his insistence on artistic freedom. Even during the bleak days after the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact forces, Seifert spoke out forcefully against the policies of the new Soviet-installed regime. For the next decade his writings were repressed, although his poetry is essentially unpolitical. Communist authorities finally relented when they realized that Seifert's poems were circulating widely in underground journals.

When the Swedish Academy announced the literature prize in October, Seifert was in the hospital suffering from diabetes and a heart ailment. He has now returned home, but can move about only with the aid of a metal crutch. Too frail to travel, he will be represented at this week's Nobel ceremonies by Son Jaroslav and Daughter Jana. Although he is usually unwilling to be interviewed by Western journalists, Seifert received TIME Editor in Chief Henry Grunwald and Eastern Europe Correspondent John Moody in his comfortable, slightly threadbare second-floor apartment in Prague. The 90-min. interview took place in Seifert's book-lined living room, where the mementos of a long life include a bust of one of his few heroes, Tomas Masaryk, Czechoslovakia's first President. Seifert is a small man with questing eyes, his white hair brushed straight back from a careworn face. Speaking through an interpreter, he reflected quietly on his art and his times. Excerpts:

Q. Most Americans are not familiar with your poetry. How would you describe your work?

A. My poetry is easily understandable. It is essay poetry. In the beginning [of my career] it contained many rhymes and had a singing quality. Now it's poetry of free verse and some rhyme, but less emphasis on rhyme, and more inner rhythm.

Q. Do you think you received the Nobel Prize on behalf of the entire country?

A. It might be presumptuous to say it, but yes. At least I received it on behalf of the majority of my countrymen, who feel the same as I and love literature as I do.

Q. You have led a long life. What have you learned about politics?

A. To be honest, nothing. I was interested in poetry only. Politics was only marginally of interest. My relationship with politics has cooled, especially after the death of Masaryk. Strong views were forced on me. And having strong views of my own, I had to become involved in politics. I am a sensitive man. I was able to express the attitude of the population, and it found in me a spokesman.

Q. What was the happiest period in your life?

A. The happiest time for my generation was between the First and Second World Wars. Do you know why? Because we were young. But also because everything seemed possible. And it seemed like we had finally achieved our freedom.

Q. Do you believe great art requires freedom?

A. Yes, an atmosphere of freedom is needed, but crises and bad times can also contribute.

Q. What about demonstrations of political activity?

A. In Czechoslovakia, we consider it an act of culture not to take part in some forms of activity. Maybe this is one of them.

Q. Are you concerned about the world situation and about peace?

A. We all think about peace. We are afraid as far as the possibility of war is concerned. You know, some poets write about peace, but I'm not one of those. Peace does not need poetry. Poetry is the result, the fruit of peace, and of the peace within the artist.

Q. How do you see the future of Czechoslovakia?

A. That is for you and the Russians to decide.

Q. Do you mean if we and the Russians keep the peace?

A. The very least you should do is sit down at the table and have talks and keep the status quo. But that is not enough to change anything.

Q. How should the U.S. view Eastern Europe?

A. For us, there is no Eastern Europe. It is a collection of countries. It is Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, Yugoslavia. You should not see us as one.

Q. Do you have any message for the American people?

A. Read our poetry. If it is possible. It is a bit touchy to speak about these things. Your people should appreciate their liberty.

Q. When we think of New York City, we think of strength, of Paris, elegance, of London, aristocracy and money. How do you characterize Prague?

A. We are a small nation. But for our entire history Prague has been the shield and symbol of Czechoslovakia. Outsiders have always tried to bring Prague down with military force. We have always resisted. That is why we love Prague, in addition to its beauty. Besides, it is prettier than New York.

Q. Is it a symbol of resistance?

A. Yes. But it takes the form of patient resistance. The history of our people, even as far back as the Thirty Years' War in the 17th century, is that we have to deal with greater powers on our borders, for instance, Germany and Russia. But we also live in the center of Europe. The concept of politicians like Masaryk was to use Czechoslovakia to build a bridge between East and West, across the heart of Europe.

Q. And how is that bridge today?

A. There is no bridge. It has fallen down.