N The Michigan Daily--Friday, February 10, 1978-Page 7 Freedom of expression lacking in Soviet Union, says poet By MICHAEL ARKUSH Former Soviet underground poet,Y Andrei Svetkoff, said last night he believes there is "extensive literal and cultural starvation in the Soviet Unionr." Svetkoff, making his first public ap- pearance in the United States, ex- pressed deep regret over the lack of "freedom of expression" in Communist dominated Russian society. THE FORMER Soviet poet delivered his comments as part of the week long symposium on human rights in Russia and Eastern Europe being held at Rackham Auditorium. Svetkoff described the situation of Soviet poets as one of "creative restraint." "I know that poets in the Soviet Union live an artistic death. They become so discouraged that they cut their ties with the establishment and become un- persons. Their real creativity is sup- pressed," said Svetkoff. SVETKOFF TOLD the audience of his great difficulties trying to make a living as a poet in Moscow. "I found it very difficult to get my poems published. They told me it was not enough not to write anti-Soviet literature but I had to write about the great revolutionary spirit in the Soviet Union," he said. "I realized I could no longer live as a human being in a society like this," he continued. UNABLE TO support himself" as a poet, Svetkoff searched for other areas of employment but was unsuccessful. "I became blacklisted in Russia because of my refusal to abide by Soviet rules guarding poetry. The KGB (the Russian Secret Police) often threatened me because of the trouble I gave them," he said. Svetkoff said he was not the only poet who didn't conform to Soviet desires who was threatened by the KGB to change his outlook. "THE KGB often accuses poets of being heretics and traitors to the republic. In fact, one 18-year-old poet was forced to reveal information about the names and locations of other un- derground poets. He was unable to withstand the KGB pressure and told them what they wanted to know. He couldn't live with himself so hecommit- ted suicide three months later," said Svetkoff did admit a person could make a living as a poet in the Soviet Union. "He can receive assignments from publishing houses and write journalism but he lives an unsettled existence," said Svetkoff. THE FORMER poet explained "literary circles" in the Soviet Union where poets mix and discuss their views do not exist. "But, these circles teach the poet nothing. The literary institutions where the poet is trained also fail to increase his knowledge," he said. "The poet must join a union of writers if he expects to achieve any success in the Soviet Union," said Svetkoff. SVETKOFF SAID many Russian poets release their frustration by drinking great amounts of alcohol. He explained this was the only way "to un- dermine the regime a'nd cope with their limited creativity." Referring to the extent of in- volvement of Soviet poets in the official dissident movement, Svetkoff said he believes there are no poets of impor- tance involved in the movement. "The dissidence of poets is a different kind,,a search for their creativity," he said. SVETKOFF TOLD the audience he thought the majority of dissidents do not have faith in the socialist system. "I don't know of many dissidents who believe in socialism. Some do but the majority have lost their faith after seeing the idea become a reality in Russian society. They have realized that the government can't run everything in the country." Svetkoff, said he did not realize the type of society the Soviet Union has un- til he visited Moscow. "I was not aware of the lack of creativity in the Soviet Union from the very beginning. Upon arriving in Moscow, I realized what a different kind of world I lived," he said. HUGE HULA DANCER NEW YORK (AP) - The two larg- est "Sesame Street" puppets, Big Bird and his 15-foot-long pal, Snuffle- Upagus, travel to Hawaii this season to help teach preschool TV viewers about cultural life on the islands. Two specially trained puppeteers, one of them a ballet dancer from Honolulu, manipulate the giant Snuf- fy through three variations of the traditional hula dance (the Kaholo, the Umi and the Kahela). Big Bird, played by Carroll Spinney, also joins in on the choreographed sequence. Ci Daily Photo by PETER SERLING Cown Criers It's more than hi-jinx for these two clowns. These UAC workers are busy spreading the word of the Michigras revival. The festival will be held tonight at 9 at the Michigan Union. Derezinski: confident Dem vying for Griffin 'S (Continued from Pagel) ideas of equality, saying "we're having new sensitivities." "There are rising expectations on the part of a lot of people who have been kept down and are beginning to realize that they have an equal right to share the dream too." Derezinski says he's running to try to pose answers to some of those questions. DEREZINSKI, a University law graduate and Vietnam veteran, also urges changes which would give the public a louder voice in government. "We have to re-allocate some of that decision-making power down to a more local level, and where but Washington v , C7 ! 414 could thatrmessage be best brought?" he said. Several of Derezinski's future op- ponents in the August 8 primary, notably James Elsman, claim past ef- forts made at a U.S. Senate'seat prove- they already have the support of their past voters. But Derezinski sees these past efforts as marks against his com- petitors. "THEY'VE FAILED before," he noted. "I think that is just as strong a vibration from them as their contention that they've had the experience. It's like having lost a Super Bowl. Does that mean you're going to be in a better position to win? All that proves is that you're a loser," he said. Derezinski has already formulated several ideas for national legislation, one of which deals with "a general plan to try to get a better return on the federal tax dollars going into Washington for the state of Michigan." Derezinski cited a vast improvement in the allocation of federal funds to Michigan since he was elected to the State Senate, but he insists Michigan still is not getting its fair share. "MUCH OF THAT disallocation is caused by federal laws which are for- mulated for the distribution of grants which disfavor Midwestern states, and we've got to change that." Local unions oppose contract Another project Derezinski is looking forward to is an increase in federal legislation to aid Michigan's energy programs. "Michigan is going to have to get more help in the energy field from the federal government. We are an energy- poor state. We import over 90 per cent of our energy, and in the future that could start to be a problem, when states begin to look after their own self- interest," he said. AMONG OTHER Derezinski projects is one, to formulate new tax policies to attract business to Michigan. Derezinski sees himself as the perfect complement to Donald Riegle (D- Michigan), because he and Riegle would "balance each other." "Together we caz present both in- terests," he said. "Would our interests be different? In some case I think they THE HIGHANDS 1 and 2 bedroom apartments includes security lock system, drapes, dishwasher, lighted tennis courts, and pool Buses to and from campus daily 1693 Broadway, Apt. 302 769-3672 Reaume and Doddes Management Co. provision (Continued from Page i then. Bargaining council approval is required before the pact goes to the rank and file. The council met Tuesday but refused to consider a summary of the agreement instead of the final language. BUT ONE council member, Tom- my Gaston, president of District 23 in western Kentucky, said the attorneys should not bother writing it up. "Time spent getting this typed up is just time wasted," he said. "I don't think it'll pass the mem- bership. I don't think it'll pass the bargaining council. They might just as well get ready to go back and start negotiating." MIl Wedn tions benef think out of Mil refusE would tell hi impos concerning strikes dwindling coal stockpiles. When Car- LLER, however, had warned on ter spoke, utilities in Ohio and esday that resuming negotia- several other states had already could mean losing many of the started asking for voluntary cut- its in the proposal. "I don't backs of power usage. I can get another damn nickel In the coal fields, about 100 pickets them," he said. dumped coal from two trucks near ler also had said that if miners Martin, Ky., and set fire to one of the e to ratify the agreement he piles of coal yesterday, Kentucky I go to President Carter "and state police said. A police spokes- m what's going on." Carter can man said there were no injuries or se an 80-day, back-to-work or- arrests. der under the Taft-Hartley Act if he finds the strike is creating a national emergency, but he said recently he has no plans to use that power. Since then, however, Indiana and West Virginia have declared "energy emergencies" because of rapidly Tired of your own cookna?. Bell's has great pizza & grinders! S. State & Packard 995-0232 Open from 11 o.m. FREE DELIVERIES from 4:30 p.m.! v r r laid- Bite Back At Winter, Go Skiing with great savingsN Ns - Annumal Ski and Skiwear Sale MON., WED.-FRI.: 10 am-8:34Opm TUES. and SAT.: 10 am-5:30 pm ANN ARB'OR, 2455 S. 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