Birds, Beasts and a World Made New

Velimir Khlebnikov

Velimir Khlebnikov (1885–1922) was a Russian poet and playwright and one of the leading figures of the Russian Futurist movement. Born in the village of Tundutovo in the Russian Empire, he became fascinated by language, mathematics, mythology, and the possibility of discovering hidden laws governing history. His experiments with words and sounds led him to develop zaum, a form of transrational language that pushed poetry beyond conventional meaning. Khlebnikov collaborated with influential avant-garde artists and writers, including Vladimir Mayakovsky and the Burliuk brothers. His work challenged traditional literary forms, combining linguistic invention with utopian visions of the future. He believed poetry could transform human consciousness and even reveal patterns in historical events. Although he died in poverty at just 36, his radical ideas profoundly influenced modernist and experimental literature. Today, he is remembered as one of the most original and adventurous poets of the early twentieth century.

Published

2024

Author

Velimir Khlebnikov