Yuli Daniel
Yuli Markovich Daniel was a Soviet writer born in Moscow in 1925, known for his literary contributions despite facing significant hardships. He served in the Soviet Army during World War II, where he sustained severe injuries that left his hand crippled for life. Daniel demonstrated resilience and creativity by writing poetry and short stories, often under the pseudonym Nikolai Arzhak. In 1966, he became embroiled in a significant political scandal when he, alongside fellow writer Andrei Sinyavsky, was accused of anti-Soviet slander for smuggling critical writings to the West. Their trial marked a notable instance of literary repression during the Brezhnev era, highlighting the risks faced by dissenting voices. Daniel's work is characterized by its intelligence, creativity, and a satirical perspective on Soviet society. After being imprisoned for nearly two decades under harsh conditions, he published "Prison Poems" in 1971, shedding light on his experiences. Daniel's story is emblematic of the struggles many writers faced under authoritarian regimes and underscores the role of literature as a form of resistance.
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Subject Terms
Yuli Daniel
Writer
- Born: November 15, 1925
- Birthplace: Moscow, Soviet Union (now in Russia)
- Died: December 30, 1988
- Place of death: Moscow, Soviet Union (now in Russia)
Biography
Born in Moscow in 1925, Yuli Markovich Daniel grew up in the capital and entered the Soviet Army during World War II. While still in his teens, Daniel was seriously wounded. His hand remained crippled the rest of his life. He nevertheless wrote poems and short stories. In 1966 American authorities reportedly revealed to Soviet officials the identities of two Russian writers who were allegedly smuggling anti-Soviet writings out of the country for publication in the West. Daniel was one of them. Under the pseudonym Nikolai Arzhak, he wrote a short story entitled “This is Moscow Speaking.” That year he and Andrei Sinyavsky, who wrote an essay on Socialist Realism under the pseudonym Abram Tertz, were tried and convicted of anti- Soviet slander. They were among the first victims of literary repression in the Brezhnev era. Their writings showed intelligence, creativity, detachment, and satire in going beneath the surface of events in their homeland. According to Daniel’s wife, Larisa Bogaraz, Daniel’s crippled hand did not save him from being forced to unload rail cars in a prison camp. With very little medical care and very little food of nutritive value, Daniel nevertheless survived for almost twenty years. His Prison Poems appeared in London bookshops in 1971.
