Alexander Arkadyevich
Galich
1918-1977
Alexander Arkadyevich Galich was a poet, screenwriter, playwright, and author of his own songs. He was born on October 19, 1918, in Yekaterinoslav (now known as Dnepr), Ukraine, in an intellectual family. His father, Aron Samoilovich, was an economist and his mother, Fanny Borisovna Wexler, worked at a conservatory. In 1920, the family relocated to Sevastopol and then settled in Moscow in 1923. Galich entered Gorky Literary Institute and also attended Stanislavsky’s Opera and Drama Studio. However, he soon left his studies at Literary Institute and continued his education at the Theatre Studio of A.N. Arbuzov and V.N. Pluchek. In 1940, Galich debuted as a playwright with the play “The City at Dawn”. During the war, after he was released from service for medical reasons, he worked at theatres in Grozny and Tashkent. During this time, he wrote several plays and screenplays, including “Taimyr Calls You”, “Route March”, and others. Since the late 1950s, Galich started composing songs and became one of the leading figures in the genre of the author’s song. His works influenced the development of this genre in the USSR along with V.S. Vysotsky and B.S. Okudjava. Galich’s songs were known for their deep lyricism and social themes. In 1974, Galich immigrated abroad and first settled in Norway. Later, he moved to Munich and eventually settled in Paris, where he continued to create and give interviews. Galich’s work has had a significant impact on Soviet culture, particularly in the field of music composition, and continues to inspire musicians and poets. In recognition of his contribution, a memorial plaque has been installed in Moscow.
Address: Moscow, Chernyakhovsky St., 4
