Spirituality search reflected in poetry reading

IU professor Bronislava Volkova will present poetry accompanied by dance, music and a collage tonight to celebrate the release of her newest book, "Entering Light: An Evening of Visionary Poetry."\nThe presentation will not showcase the typical narrative poetry, Volkova said. Instead, she said she composes metaphysical poetry, which portrays a journey of the soul.\n"This is really moving into a new vibration," Volkova said. "It's spiritual, inspirational poetry."\n"Entering Light" will not be a typical poetry reading, either.\nWhile Volkova reads from her book, written in both Czech and English, IU alumnus Hakan Toker will play piano and images of collages created by Volkova will be projected. \nA group of dancers named "Contact Collective" created body movements to go with the poetry. \n"I am very excited that the whole group of dancers got inspired (by the poetry)," Volkova said.\nAlthough she has participated in numerous poetry readings with dancers and musicians, Volkova still admits she is nervous about tonight's presentation.\n"There's a whole group of people involved," she said. "It's more complex." \nVolkova, a political refugee, left her native Czechoslovokia in 1974 for political reasons. \n"If you were not a member of the communist party, you had no chance to carry out your profession," Volkova said. "I was not willing to become a member of the party."\nAfter spending two years as a political refugee, Volkova moved to the United States, and eventually made it to Bloomington, becoming a professor in the Slavics department in 1982. According to comparative literature department head Oscar Kenshur, Volkova also works closely with the IU Comparative Literature department, although she is not a faculty member of that department. \n"She's very talented," said Kenshur, adding that Volkova has given numerous lectures and workshops in conjunction with the Comparative Literature department.\nWhile she started out interested in linguistics, through her poetry Volkova has become very interested in comparative literature as well.\nVolkova has been well-received by her collegues in Bloomington.\n"She is creative," said Slavic Languages and Literatures chairperson Ron Feldstein. "She is interested in many fields, including poetry."\nVolkova's poetry, which she describes as inspirational and existential, has been shaped by her numerous experiences, both in her personal and professional life.\nMuch of her early poetry, including her first book "Prison Notes Smuggled into the Ears of Sea Foam," reflected the hardships of leaving Czechoslovakia. \n"I had to leave everything behind," she said. "I had no money, no backing, no friends."\nOther books include poems with more intellectual themes. "Entering Light," the book from which she will be performing, deals with more spiritual and emotional themes.\n"It's about isolation and being different," Volkova said. "It's universal." \nVolkova has earned fame over the years. She has performed her works in numerous locations around the world, including New Zealand and Prague, as well as on radio programs.\nHer works have been translated into many languages, including French, Spanish, German and Polish, and many of her works are available to read on the Internet. In addition, IU students can check out her poetry at the library. \nThe poetry performance will take place at 8 p.m. tonight in the Rose Firebay Theatre of the John Waldron Art Center. A wine and refreshments reception and book signing will follow. The event costs $5 for adults and $3 for students, and "Entering Light" will also be available to purchase.\n-- Contact staff reporter Jenny Kobiela at jkobiela@indiana.edu.