Edith Södergren

Overview

Edith Södergren born St. Petersburg, Russia April 4, 1892 (d. 1923). Finnish-Swedish poet.

Quotations

On the end of World War I: “A magic spell came over us and left us with the feeling that anything was possible at any time. The future glowed within us and made us impatient; its seductive and terrifying crown would one day be ours. We were unknown and poor and lived in a remote corner of the world, and yet we felt like princes. Our treasure was wrapped in the hope that hovered over a devastated world like the hands of angels and pointed to a new humanity.” (to Hagar Olsson, in Birgitta Svanberg, With Responsibility For All of Humanity)

Opposed punitive treaty of Versailles: “Germany’s misfortune causes me such pain. Why does nobody in Finland protest against the peace terms? If I could write an appeal to help collect protest signatures I’d do it. . . That business with the Germans gives me no peace. I’ve written an article: Shall we look on in silence while a whole nation is hammered into chains?” (to Hagar Olsson, in Marlene Broemer, War and Revolution, p. 55; photo Wikipedia)