08.06.2007
Kočo Solev Racin, born in Veles (1908-1943),
was a highly distinguished Macedonian poet, prose writer, critic, historical thinker, active national figure and the most eminent Macedonian intellectual of the period between the two World Wars.
During his early years he worked as a potter. At this time he also joined the Macedonian revolutionary struggle fighting the fascistic occupation of Bulgaria and Nazi-Germany.
In his youth, Ratcin wrote Antologia na bolkata (Anthology of the pain) and in 1931 he published an essay on a famous German philosopher, Hegel, in the magazine “Literatura” in Croatia and was named the ‘miracle’ of Veles. He was only 23 years old at the time.
His poetry appeared between the two world wars, while the norms of the Macedonian literary language were being established. One could hear for the first time the extremely difficult situation in Macedonia, the sorrow of its people, but also the hope for better and happier days.
His book ‘Beli Mugri’ (White Dawns), published in Samobor in 1939, immediately attracted the interest of the public and was considered a culmination of the poet’s cry for justice as it emerged from the pain and sufferings of the Macedonian people.
His poetry is considered a significant contribution towards the struggle of the Macedonian’s for their national and cultural development.
In May 1943, Ratcin joins to the workers party in the same time when he published his first anthology of the folk songs dedicated to liberation of Macedonia. Kosta Solev Ratcin was killed on June the 13, 1943.
Today, important institutions and international manifestations carry his name. The anthology White dawns is foreseen also in the Golden Library of chosen European books which is an UNESCO initiative (Paris, 1986). Today, in the center of his native city of Veles, lie monuments in his remembrance. One such monument is a nightingale that sings with its eyes closed.
Also, in honor of Racin, an annual international festival for poety is held in Veles, the ‘Racin Meetings’, the traditional international poetry meeting, including about 25 domestic and foreign poets.
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