V. Zhukovskys letters to A. Nikitenko

The article presents nine previously unknown letters by Vasily Zhukovsky to AlexanderNikitenko stored in the Manuscript Department of the Pushkin House. Zhukovskys letters toNikitenko are connected with the history of the posthumous edition of Pushkins works, with theedition of the translated anthology of fairy tales and Zhukovskys role in releasing Nikitenkosrelatives from servitude.Alexander Nikitenko (1804-1877) is A. Galichs disciple, a literary critic, professor of RussianLiterature of St. Petersburg University, academician, censor (from 1833), and the author of The Diarythat captured the development of the Russian culture in the period from 1830 to 1870s. He wrotetheoretical studies on aesthetics and history of the Russian literature, including articles on V.Zhukovskys and K. Batyushkovs poetry. The content of the letters, which were close to businessnotes in their form, supplements the information on the relationship of the two representatives of theRussian culture that is already familiar from The Diary. It also provides an idea on the intensity and theresponsible nature of their collaboration involving the issues of both Russian literature and personallife.The article gives a historical and cultural commentary to the letters and determines the dates theywere written. Five of the nine letters by Zhukovsky to Nikitenko are connected with the posthumousedition of Pushkins works in 1837-1842, in which Zhukovsky took an active and leading part.Nikitenko was appointed censor of the edition, which was Zhukovskys wish and initiative. Thecontent of Nikitenkos letters and The Diary reveal that the censor and the poet were unanimous indefending the idea of keeping Pushkins heritage.Two of the letters are devoted to the history of creating The Library of Folk Fairy Tales. In 1839-1840 Avdotya Petrovna Elagina and Anna Petrovna Sonntag (both nee Yushkova), under the initiativeof V. Zhukovsky, began a project on translating and issuing The Library of Folk Fairy Tales that wasto be opened by The Arabian Nights. Zhukovsky undertook the organization of the edition andconcluded an agreement with A. Smirdin on March 2, 1840.The last of Zhukovskys letters to Nikitenko was written on April 12, 1841, and concludes thedramatic story of releasing Nikitenkos mother (Ekaterina Mikhailovna) and brother (GrigoryVassilievich) from servitude at Count D. Sheremetyev. The decisive role in releasing Nikitenkosrelatives was played by Zhukovsky, which is also demonstrated, besides the letter, by the remarks inZhukovskys and Nikitenkos diaries.

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