Tree symbolism in bilingual lyric poetry by Armas Misin (Aka Oleg Misin and Armas Hiiri)

The article presents the results of the analysis of the representation of tree symbolism in the bilingual poetry of the national poet of the Republic of Karelia Armas Misin (aka Oleg Misin and Armas Hiiri) in the 1970s. The aim of the article is to study the symbolism of tree imagery in the poetry of Armas Misin (aka Oleg Misin and Armas Hiiri). The article deals with how the traditional notions of the Baltic-Finnish peoples about the relationships between man and nature (forest) are reinterpreted in the poet’s work. The actuality and novelty of the research is that the poet’s work is studied from this point of view for the first time. Tree imagery in his lyric poetry obtains a symbolic meaning of the renewal of life or rebirth: the lyrical hero goes into the forest, to a tree, in order to get to know himself, to find the peace of mind, disturbed by the chaos of everyday life. There are both generalizing images, forest and trees, and the specific names of trees outlining the forest and the city skyline. The dominant image of pine is a symbol of firmness, inflexibility and loyalty. In the bilingual lyric poetry tree imagery acquires the meaning of the memory of generations, growing into the image of a word tree, symbolizing the return of the lyrical hero to his origins through his native language and culture.