Poet, Philosopher, Multi-media artist. A published author in his homeland of Hungary by 1956, he fled to North America during the communist takeover. He used to say that his first five years living in Toronto were 'wretched', but that the next twenty he 'felt like a man without a home'. He had no immediate audience for his Hungarian books and he could not yet write fluently in English. He once wrote, "Budapest is my homeland, Toronto is my home. In Toronto I am nostalgic for Budapest. In Budapest I am nostalgic for Toronto. Everywhere else I am nostalgic for my nostalgia." Evenutally Zend did find his place in Toronto, publishing several books of poetry and humor, including From Zero to One (1973), Beyond Labels (1983) and Oab (published posthumously, 1986). He was often linked with Canada's literary elite, having friendships with and the admiration of the likes of Margaret Atwood and Northrop Frye. Glenn Gould called him "Canada's most musical poet." For many years he worked on the CBC radio program, Ideas, producing over 100 shows including a series called The Lost Continent of Atlantis. In the 1980s, he travelled across Canada, performing with Robert Sward and Robert Priest in various taverns and restaurants. They were billed as the Three Roberts and their show was a unique reading of their poetry.
Poet, Philosopher, Multi-media artist. A published author in his homeland of Hungary by 1956, he fled to North America during the communist takeover. He used to say that his first five years living in Toronto were 'wretched', but that the next twenty he 'felt like a man without a home'. He had no immediate audience for his Hungarian books and he could not yet write fluently in English. He once wrote, "Budapest is my homeland, Toronto is my home. In Toronto I am nostalgic for Budapest. In Budapest I am nostalgic for Toronto. Everywhere else I am nostalgic for my nostalgia." Evenutally Zend did find his place in Toronto, publishing several books of poetry and humor, including From Zero to One (1973), Beyond Labels (1983) and Oab (published posthumously, 1986). He was often linked with Canada's literary elite, having friendships with and the admiration of the likes of Margaret Atwood and Northrop Frye. Glenn Gould called him "Canada's most musical poet." For many years he worked on the CBC radio program, Ideas, producing over 100 shows including a series called The Lost Continent of Atlantis. In the 1980s, he travelled across Canada, performing with Robert Sward and Robert Priest in various taverns and restaurants. They were billed as the Three Roberts and their show was a unique reading of their poetry.
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Bio by: Patrick R
