Portraying a man of thought the Somlyó Zoltán Bust stands here. It immortalizes a poet. He was Zoltán Somlyó.
This bust stands in Budapest’s City Park. It is a tribute to Zoltán Somlyó. He was a Hungarian poet and writer. The bust was erected in 2011. Tamás Varga created it.
Zoltán Somlyó was born in 1882. His birthplace was Alsódomboru in Croatia. He died in Budapest in 1937. Somlyó was a poet and journalist. He also translated works. His son was György Somlyó. He too was a poet and translator.
Somlyó’s life greatly influenced his poetry. His early works echoed folk and Art Nouveau styles. He was influenced by “A Holnap” poets. Gyula Reviczky also inspired him. Loneliness and erotic love filled his verses. Bohemian anarchism also played a role. He embraced the “l’art pour l’art” philosophy.
After the Hungarian Soviet Republic fell he focused on translation. He translated Baudelaire Maupassant and Voltaire. He also translated Rousseau and Hauptmann. A sense of loneliness permeated his poetry. It showed feelings of hopelessness.
Critics had mixed opinions on Somlyó. They recognized his talent. Some compared him to Kosztolányi. Others criticized his clichés.
Frigyes Karinthy mourned Somlyó’s death. He called him a poet and nothing more. He stressed that he was a true poet.
One of Somlyó’s famous poems is “Silent Poem”. It reflects his artistic views. It summarizes his life experiences.
Somlyó lived at Kruspér Street 7. He lived there for fourteen years. His son was born there. He was often ill. He always remained poor.
Somlyó Zoltán died in 1937. He was laid to rest in the Kozma Street Cemetery. His epitaph reads “My God do you love me?” It continues “My God do you guide me?” and ends “My God will you punish me still?” These lines come from his poem “Morning Prayer”.
The Somlyó Zoltán Bust serves as a reminder. It reminds us of a complex poet. He captured human emotions. He explored life’s struggles. The bust stands as a testament. It honors his contribution to Hungarian literature.