Poet Igor Guberman Reflects on Life, Love, and Politics at 90

In anticipation of his ongoing 90th-birthday concert tour, Russian-Israeli poet Igor Guberman engaged in a unique interview format, answering six key questions with his signature four-line "gariki" poems. Guberman, known for his concise and often satirical verse, offered insights into health, love, politics, homeland, humanity, and aging.

Regarding his health at 90, Guberman humorously stated he is "mentally quite healthy" and could build a dacha from the "firewood I've broken." On love, he suggested it doesn't necessarily mean merging souls, but that physical intimacy "never hurts." Reflecting on his long observation of political epochs, he quipped that Russian leaders "again lie about where the front is" when calling people forward in the name of honor.

When asked about his homeland, having lived between Russia and Israel, Guberman's poem lamented a "mysterious fatherland" where people "drink to the Russian way of life, where there is an image, but no life." Observing humanity, he noted that the "human layer in us is fragile and anxious; it's easy to turn us back into cattle, very difficult to raise us back." Finally, on aging, he admitted that while his "enthusiasm has been reduced by age," he now has "no strength for books," having previously loved "books, drinks, and women."

The article concludes by noting that Guberman's "gariki" age well because they leave interpretation to the reader, and that his concerts continue, offering a chance to hear from an author who still finds humor in life's complexities. Upcoming performances are scheduled in Ashdod on September 22, 2026, Lod on October 22, 2026, and Jerusalem on November 26, 2026.