Amir Or (אמיר אור) (born 1956), is an Israeli poet, novelist, and essayist whose works have been published in 45 languages.
He is the author of twelve volumes of poetry. His most recent books in Hebrew are The Madman's Prophecy (2012), Loot (selected poems 1977–2013) and Wings (2015). Or also published a fictional epic in metered prose, The Song of Tahira (2001) and the novel The Kingdom (2015) about the life of king David and contemporary society.
Biography
Amir Or was born in Tel Aviv. He has worked as a shepherd, builder and restaurateur. He studied philosophy and comparative religion at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, where he later lectured on Ancient Greek Religion. Or has published essays on poetry, classics and comparative religion, and has taught creative writing in universities in Israel, Europe, USA and Japan.
Literary career
In 1990 Or founded "Helicon Poetry Society" in Israel and has been Editor-in-Chief of Helicon's journal and series of poetry books. In 1993 he set up the Arabic-Hebrew Helicon Poetry School and has founded and directed the Sha’ar International Poetry Festival. Or has also edited other literary journals and several anthologies of Hebrew verse in European languages. He serves as editor of the Catuv poetry books series, as national editor of the international poetry magazines Atlas and Blesok, and as a national coordinator for the U.N. sponsored UPC venture, “Poets for Peace.” He is a founding memberof the EACWP (European Association of Creative Writing Programs) of the international Circle of Poets and of the WPM (World Poetry Movement). Or gave readings and lectured in poetry festivals and conferences worldwide.
Awards and recognition
Or is the 2020 SPE Golden Wreath laureate. His other awards include the Levi Eshkol Prime Minister's Prize, the Hebrew University Harry Harshon prize, the Bernstein Prize, the Fulbright Award for writers, the 2010 Oeneumi literary prize of the Tetovo Poetry Festival, the 2013 Wine Poetry prize of the Struga Poetry Evenings, the 2014 Stefan Mirtov Ljubiša international literary award, the 2016 European Atlas of Lyrics award, the 2017 BlueMet World Through Poetry award, the 2019 Homer European Medal of Poetry and Art, the 2020 ACUM Directorate prize, and the 2021 Wladislaw Reimont and Ianicius awards, Poland, "for his contribution to world poetry"; as well as Fellowships at the University of Iowa, the Jewish-Hebrew Centre of the University of Oxford, the Heinrich Böll Foundation and the Literarische Colloquium, Berlin among others. For his translations he was awarded the 1995 Honorary Prize of the Israeli Minister of Culture and for his editorial work - the 2017 literary editing award of the Israeli Minister of Culture .
Published works
Or published 13 poetry books, 2 novels, a book of essays and 11 books of his translations to Hebrew. His work was translated to more than 50 languages and published in 40 book in Europe, America and Asia.
Hebrew books
Yeled (Child), Ha-kibbutz Ha-meuchad, 2018
Al Ha-derekh (On The Road), Pardes, 2018
Sikha (Discourse), Essays, Ha-kibbutz Ha-meuchad, 2018
HaMamlakha (The Kingdom), Novel, Ha-kibbutz Ha-meuchad, 2015
Knafayim (Wings), Ha-kibbutz Ha-meuchad, 2015
Shalal (Loot) Selected poems 1977–2013, Ha-kibbutz Ha-meuchad, 2013
Masa HaMeshuga (The Madman's Prophecy), Keshev, 2012
HaHaya SheBalev (The Animal in the Heart). Keshev, 2010
Muzeion Hazman (The Museum of Time). Ha-kibbutz Ha-meuchad, 2007
Shir Tahira (The Song of Tahira). Novel, Xargol, 2001. Yom (Day). Ha-kibbutz Ha-meuchad & Tag, 1998. Shir (Poem). Ha-kibbutz Ha-meuchad, 1996. Kakha (So!). Ha-kibbutz Ha-meuchad, 1995. Pidyon ha-met. (Ransoming The Dead), Helicon-Bitan, 1994. Panim (Faces). Am Oved, 1991. Ani mabbit me-‛eyney ha-qofim (I Look Through The Monkeys’ Eyes). Eqed, 1987.