Eastern emigration literature in the magazine “Russkiye zapiski (Annales Russes)”: to the problem of a failed dialogue

The paper considers the works of the authors of Eastern emigration published in the magazine “Russkiye zapiski (Annales Russes)” (1937-1939) in their literary environment. The analysis of the magazine‘s history allowed revealing the reasons why the Paris editors gave up the original intentions to become a “cultural bridge” between the two poles of the first emigration. During the existence of “Russkiye zapiski (Annales Russes)”, the works of only three Harbin authors: “Songs about Uhlenspiegel” by A. Nesmelov, the story “Steppe Crow” by B. Volkov and “Poems of One Day” by A. Achair were published in the magazine. The rejection of the joint project was explained by the Paris editors by the “lack of artistic taste and flair” of the Eastern authors. However, the analysis of their published works shows that their quality is not inferior to the quality of works by Parisian writers. “Songs about Uhlenspigel” by Nesmelov is distinguished by its optimism and love of life. Among the published verses of Achair, the poem “The Black Swan” stands out with its poetic refinement. The autobiographical story “Steppe Crow” by Volkov is devoted to the Eastern theme. The fate of the writer during the Civil War was associated with Mongolia. The work is distinguished by an interest in the world of Eastern culture, its exotic traditions for Europeans.

Keywords

Authors

References