Inger Christensen · Lyrikline.org

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* 16.01.1935, Vejle / Jütland , Danemark
† 02.01.2009, Copenhagen, Danemark

Inger Christensen was born in Vejle, Denmark in 1935. She initially studied medicine but then trained to be a teacher, and from 1963 to 1964 she worked at the College for Arts in Holbæk. After that she opted for the life of a freelance writer. Inger Christensen died on January 2, 2009.

Although she has also written two novels, short stories, essays, radio plays, a drama and a libretto, Christensen is best known for her powerful lyric poetry. She has also produced excellent Danish translations of the works of authors such as Paul Celan and Max Frisch.

Christensen has been considered one of the most important European poets. She made her debut as an author in 1962 with her poetry volume »Lys« (t: Light), followed a year later by »Græs« (t: Grass). Christensen attracted international attention with two long poems: »Det« (t: It), published in 1969, and »Alfabet« (Eng. »Alphabet«, 2000) in 1981, which combines mathematical principles of construction with hypnotic sound structures and concisely sprawling pictures. Christensens volume of poetry »Brev i April« (t: Letter in April) is another example of »systematic poetry«.

After the volume of essays »Hemmelighedstilstanden« (2000; t: The state of secrecy) her radio play »Masser af sne til de traengende får« (1971; t: Loads of snow for the starving sheep) was lately translated into German.

Christensens work has captured several laurels such as the Austrian State Prize for European Literature and the Nordic Prize of the Swedish Academy.

Inger Christensen
Author

poèmes

Inger Christensen
Author