Russkaâ literatura
The quarterly peer-review academic journal published since 1958.
Founders
- Russian Academy of Sciences
Publisher
- Russian Academy of Sciences
The journal is published under the supervision of the RAS Department of Historical and Philological Sciences (OIFN RAS).
About the journal
“Russkaia literatura” (Russian Literature) is the country's first and only periodical devoted to the history of Russian literature at all stages of its development. One of the most urgent tasks of "Russian Literature" is to present the current state of academic literary criticism and the most striking achievements in its individual fields. The same aim is pursued by the chronicles of current conferences and reviews of recently published scholarly monographs and anthologies. The volume is intended for specialists in the history of Russian literature and is aimed at a professional audience.
Key areas
- Folklore;
- Old Russian and 18th century literature;
- Classical heritage;
- Modern (20th century) literature;
- Theoretical and historical-literary studies;
- Biographical and textual research;
- Thematic sections on the anniversaries of classic writers, polemics and attribution;
- Critical reviews and critiques;
- Comprehensive information about current scientific life, including chronicles of international symposia and conferences.
Indexation
Media registration certificate: № 0110194 от 04.02.1993
Current Issue
No 1 (2025)
Articles
The Epic Tradition of Kolyma
Abstract
The article outlines the history of populating Kolyma (beginning with the 17thcentury) and of its historical settlements, Nizhnekolymsk and Pokhodsk. The history of epic songs (bylinys) collecting in the region is described (D. I. Melikov, V. G. Bogoraz, S. I. Bolo). The localbylinysare analyzed. Archaic versions of certain story lines are highlighted, as well as the influence of the manuscript tradition (The Wars of the Jewsby Josephus Flavius) on one of the epic songs,Mikhail Danilovich,anUnderage Warrior. Direct links between Kolyma and Indigirka (Russkoye Ustye) are established.
Russkaâ literatura. 2025;(1):2-26
2-26
A Spiritual Verse Owned by Ivan Krupennikov: An Enquiry into the Religious Poetry of the Khlysty Sect
Abstract
The article analyzes the religious poetry of the Khlysty sect, focusing on spiritual verses from the heritage of Ivan Krupennikov, a prominent member of the Moscow congregation in the 1730s — 1740s. It examines the themes and motifs of these verses and their connections to the secular song culture of the period.
Russkaâ literatura. 2025;(1):28-284
28-284
N. I. Novikov as the Translator
Abstract
The article analyzes the translation endeavors of N. I. Novikov. It focuses on his self-published book,French Philosophy of Our Times; Abridged Excerpt from the Book „Variétés d’un Philosophe Provinciale, par Mr. Ch… Le Jeune“, Printed in Paris in the Year 1767(St. Petersburg, 1772; second edition, Moscow, 1787). The author was Francois Champion de Pontalier (1731–1812), renowned for his polemics with the Encyclopedists, who touched, however, on many subjects that were of interest to Novikov: problems of education, morality, critique of contemporary morale, literary, artistic and philosophical issues. One of the principal motifs was the defense of religion and condemnation of the unbelievers. The notes and original texts by Novikov are of particular interest: his annotations to the wordspedant,petimetreetc.
Russkaâ literatura. 2025;(1):33-286
33-286
Why the leshy has the goat’s feet: traces of antiquity in the treatment of the folklore characters in the Russian literature of the late 18 th — early 19 th century
Abstract
The article deals with the influence of the Antiquity reminiscences on the Russian literary demonology of the late 18th — early 19thcentury, using theleshystories as the case study. Because of the general cultural orientation towards the mythological system of the Antiquity, the Slavicleshywas associated with the antique satyr and looked like one in the works of art. The late 18thcentury interest in the national mythology gave rise to ethnographic research, as well as to the composition of the lexicons of Slavic superstitions, describing the characters of the Russian folklore. Still, in these lexicons the Slavic demons tended to retain the features of their ancient prototypes: theleshyshad strong resemblance to satyrs, the mermaids to nymphs. Such reminiscences introduced tensions to the representations of the demonological characters, that were later reflected in the Russian literature.
Russkaâ literatura. 2025;(1):40-287
40-287
Mikhail Lermontov’s novella Shtoss : On the source of the finale
Abstract
The article substantiates the hypothesis that the last phrases of Mikhail Lermontov’s novellaShtosswereinspired by a passage fromBasurman(The Heretic), a novel by Ivan Lazhechnikov.Since the novel was published shortly after Lermontov had read his novella to a close circle of literary connoisseurs, it seems possible that the author expected the quotation to be recognized at least by some of his listeners. The allusion offered them a hint as to how the story might have continued, were it not interrupted just before reaching its climax. The recollection of the quoted episode inBasurmanwith its gloomy dungeon setting emphasizes the Gothic color ofShtoss.
Russkaâ literatura. 2025;(1):46-291
46-291
Biblical Motives of the "Wisdom Literature" in the Aphorisms of Kozma Prutkov
Abstract
The article deals with K. N. Batiushkov’s obscure correspondent P. I. Beletsky, a history teacher in the First and Second Military Cadet Schools, falsely accused of taking part in the Petrashevsky Coup and exiled to Vologda in 1849–1853. The exiled teacher met the poet after 1852. The personality of Beletsky, a vivid representative of the 1840s generation, and the previously unknown facts of his life are revealed through the data from the Manuscript Department, Institute of Russian Literature, Russian Academy of Sciences; Manuscript Departments of the National Library of Russia, Russian State Historical Archive, State Archive of Vladimir Region.
Russkaâ literatura. 2025;(1):51-292
51-292
Motifs of the Wisdom Literature in the Aphorisms by Kozma Prutkov
Abstract
The article analyzes one of the possible sources of Kozma Prutkov’s parody aphorisms. It is suggested that the subject matter for the aphorisms was the biblical sayings of the so-called Wisdom Literature, in particular the Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the deuterocanonical book of Ben Sirah. A number of Prutkov’s aphorisms are not only textually close to these sources but are also structured in the same way as the Biblicalmeshalim. The parodies target numerous collections of aphorisms that gained popularity in the Russian literature since the beginning of the 19thcentury.
Russkaâ literatura. 2025;(1):61-293
61-293
A comparative analysis of Myandin’s novella and of the ancient Russian stories and folk tales is offered, specifying its sources and the features of both editions
Abstract
The article examines and publishesThe Tale of the Rich and the Poor,a work by I. S. Myandin, a Pechora Old Believer scribe of the 19thcentury, preserved in two lifetime editions (IRLI, Ust-Tsilemsky Collection, Nos. 67, 70).The Tale…uses the fable plotMarco the Rich, popular in Europe and in the East. A comparative analysis of Myandin’s novella and of the ancient Russian stories and folk tales is offered, specifying its sources and the features of both editions.
Russkaâ literatura. 2025;(1):76-298
76-298
Dialogue with the Classics and the Contemporaries in A. P. Chekhov’s Short Story The Teacher of Literature
Abstract
The short storyThe Teacher of Literatureis a contamination of two texts, originally published separately in two different newspapers, and then combined into a whole. In this article, the story is treated as a two-part work, with each part being relatively autonomous and at the same time forming an organic contribution to the whole. The reason for expanding the storyThe Commonerswas Chekhov’s trip to Sakhalin and the related significant changes in his worldview. The story’s literary links to the classics and the contemporaries are reflected in the hidden references to the other works of literature. Chekhov does not force the reader to go searching for a muted intertext, and thus his works can be interpreted both immanently and within a broader literary context.
Russkaâ literatura. 2025;(1):89-299
89-299
Concerning the Playwriting of A. M. Remizov. The Drama of St. George the Brave
Abstract
The article traces the history of the first publication of the playThe Drama of St. George the Brave, drawing on the writer’s correspondence with V. Ya. Bryusov, R. V. Ivanov-Razumnik and E. A. Znosko-Borovsky, analyzes its sources and outlines the efforts of the composer V. A. Senilov to compose the opera of the same name.The Drama of St. George the Braveis based on the apocryphal tales of the torment of St. George and of St. George and the Dragon (Serpent), that were also reflected in the Russian spiritual poems. Specific examples show that the sources were not limited to the works cited by the writer in his notes to the play. In his work, Remizov used the following sources:Arkhangelsk Epics and Historical Songs Collected by A. D. Grigoriev, N. E. Onchukov’s bookPechora Epics, various editions of theSongs Collected by P. V. Kireevsky, etc. The visual source forThe Drama of St. George the Bravewas the icon with the stampsThe Life of St. George, mentioned by Remizov in a letter to I. A. Ryazanovsky.
Russkaâ literatura. 2025;(1):99-301
99-301
Transcaucasian Periodical Press on the Activities of V. V. Kamenskii (1916–1920)
Abstract
Thearticle deals with the 140thanniversary of the birth of Vasilii Kamenskii (1884–1961) — a Futurist poet, prose writer, actor, aviator and painter. His multifaceted activities in Tiflis, Baku, Kutaisi, Batumi in 1916–1920 are presented here, mainly drawing on the reports in the Transcaucasian periodical press. In these cities, he gave a number of lectures mostly on Futurism, performed in the circus of Yesikovsky Brothers, widely interacted with Armenian, Georgian literary milieu. In Tiflis, he published a collection of poemsBarefoot Girlsand the long poemTsuvammaas a separate book. In November 1919, the 10thanniversary of Kamenskii’s literary career was celebrated in Tiflis, and essays on his work were published in the periodical press. The interest of the broad public of Tiflis, Batumi, Kutaisi and Baku in the art of Kamenskii and especially in his workStenka Razinhas not faded throughout the years, which makes him one of the first Russian literary figures to leave a noticeable trace in the Transcaucasian literary environment.
Russkaâ literatura. 2025;(1):106-302
106-302
The chronicler of the Russian Empire’s last days (A. A. Blok and his duty work on the proceedings of the Extraordinary Investigative Commission, Russian Provisional Government)
Abstract
Based on newly found and partly unpublished archival data, the article offers an in-depth insight into the studies of the prominent Russian poet and writer A. A. Blok’s duty activities as a staff member of the Extraordinary Investigative Commission (EIC) set up by the Russian Provisional Government in early March 1917 to check the eventual illegal actions of the ex officio Ministers.The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the duty specifics and key features of A. Blok’s responsibilities as a member of a special task group of professional editors within the EIC, to check and stylistically improve the verbal interrogation texts originally written in shorthand.Enormous amounts of work and time invested into this job resulted in a comprehensive historiographic essayLast Days of the Russian Empire(Poslednie Dni Imperatorskoj Vlasti. Petrograd, 1921) supported by extensive documentary source data, accumulated by EIC, and in an unprecedented volume of checked and stylistically improved read back shorthand records of interrogations held by the EIC Board — the poet’s valuable contribution to its later publication (The Fall of the Tsar’s Regimen = Padenie Tsarskogo Rezhima, in 7 volumes, 1924–1927) edited by the historian P. E. Tschjogolev.
Russkaâ literatura. 2025;(1):115-305
115-305
‘Five Stories’ by B. L. Pasternak about Art: Towards the Interpretation of the Cycle
Abstract
The article offers an interpretation of the cycleFive Tales, that opens B. L. Pasternak’s fourth book of poetry,Themes and Variations. Through textual analysis, the instantiation of the book’smain «themes» (inspiration, art, love, nature, temptation) in the cycle is outlined, as well as their mergence into a unified composition. Furthermore, the article explores the mechanisms of transposition and variation of the «themes» borrowed by the author from his predecessors: Shakespeare, Goethe, Pushkin, and Blok.Five Talesis showcased as a «system-forming» cycle that defines the foundational motifs ofThemes and Variationsas a whole and the logic of the book’s unfolding.
Russkaâ literatura. 2025;(1):135-308
135-308
TRANSLATING AND INTERPRETING ANDREY BELY’S LEGACY IN CHINA
Abstract
The interest in the Russian literature that emerged as a part of the May Fourth Movement introduced the Chinese intellectuals to the art of Andrey Bely. The article examines the history of translating and interpreting Andrey Bely’s works in China, assesses the degree of the academia’s awareness of his legacy, traces the limitations of Chinese Bely studies from the standpoint of the number of translations and the depth, architecture and originality of these studies versus those in Russia and Europe. Various approaches to researching the writer’s legacy are outlined, goals for filling up the gaps in translation are set.
Russkaâ literatura. 2025;(1):160-311
160-311
«A few words»: The reminiscences of I. N. Potapenko
Abstract
I. N. Potapenko’s reminiscences, published here for the first time, cover the initial period of his life in St. Petersburg (from the late 1870s to the early 1880s) when, as a student at both the university and the conservatory, he took his first steps toward a career in literature. The author presents details of student life and describes his interactions with famous writers, including K. M. Stanyukovich, N. F. Bazhin, V. A. Poletika, and others.
Russkaâ literatura. 2025;(1):170-312
170-312
A . A . Akhmatova ’ s obscure friend
Abstract
The article presents an obscure friend of A. A. Akhmatova, the addressee of her 1928 poem «If the Moon’s Horror is Splashing...» M. M. Zimmerman, Assistant Administration Director at the former Mariinsky Theatre. A study of his personal file at the Directorate of Academic Theatres (Central State Archive of Literature and Art, St. Petersburg) reveals a number of facts about his life. This article also introduces his note to Akhmatova.
Russkaâ literatura. 2025;(1):191-315
191-315
All the connections of the world: communication in literature and art
Abstract
The article analyzes G. S. Gore’s poetry in the context of the idea of organics. Having read the books of L. S. Berg and B. M. Kozo-Polyansky and being delighted by V. I. Vernadsky’s doctrine of the biosphere, Gore elaborated on the concept of the spiritual biosphere, identifying it — through Khlebnikov — with the understanding and role of the poetic language. Reflections on the idea of organics, inspired by the epoch, on nature, cosmos, human, language, and their coexistence made him an adept of natural philosophy. This is confirmed, primarily, by Gore’s increased interest in the early work of N. A. Zabolotsky. Proceeding from the utopian idea of the historical avant-garde about the rebirth of the world and consciousness in the poetic word, conjugated with the naturphilosophical doctrine of the unification and interpenetration of all living things, Gore in his poems tries to transcend time andspace in the linguistic biosphere. But along the way, he encounters obstacles, historical, verbal, spiritual, and corporeal. Gore’s absurdist word, intended to reflect and transform the catastrophic disintegration of the world and man, loses its potential to generate new meanings. Deprived of the possibility of transcendent breakthrough, revival, the author’s poetic word retains its mimetic function — in a fluent and detailed way, from the inside, from the total frozen space and time in the self-world, it conveys the tragedy and horror of the absurd existence of living corpses — the world of antiorganics.
Russkaâ literatura. 2025;(1):276-327
276-327
A 1930 Discussion on RAPP’s Creative Slogans
Abstract
The article examines the discussion between the RAPP leadership and the «left» opposition about in-depth psychologism and «a live human»: positions of the opponents are compared, common grounds are identified, the disputants’ agreement in assessing the function of ideological impact as the basic issue for a work of literature is stated. The opposition offered a variety of approaches. It disagreed with all the leadership’s slogans concerning creativity, but supported some of them, while defining the psychologism necessary for the proletarian literature as its opposite. Subsequently, both positions were recognized as erroneous, with psychologism being proclaimed a rejected path of literary development.
Russkaâ literatura. 2025;(1):217-318
217-318
G. S. Breitburd’s Report on Italian Neo-Avant-Garde at the International Commission of the Union of the Soviet Writers, September 30, 1965: Text and Context
Abstract
The publication includes an extract from a stenographic copy of a report on the Italian Neo-Avant-Garde presented by G. S. Breitburd at the International Commission of the Union of the Soviet Writers on September 30, 1965. The goal was to prepare the Soviet delegation for the European Community of Writers’ Congress on the European Avant-Garde. The introductory article offers an outline of the Soviet reception of Italian Neo-Avant-Garde and of Breitburd’s role in it. The publication contains new facts on Breitburd’s work as an important actor of the Soviet «cultural diplomacy» and expands the existing idea of how Western Neo-Avant-Garde was perceived by the Soviet culture.
Russkaâ literatura. 2025;(1):226-319
226-319
ObERIU (roots)
Abstract
The article focuses on the specifics of perception and creative understanding of the OBERIU poetics by the members of the literary Neo-Avant-Garde of the 1950s and 1960s and on the phenomenon of the cult of N. Zabolotsky’s poetry in the circle of the Philological School in Leningrad. Alexander Kondratov’s poetry cycleOBERIU (Roots)is published for the first time. The cycle is analyzed in the context of Kondratov’s scholarly writings on information theory and literary studies, withreferences to his correspondence with R. Jacobson and the publishing history of the heritage of D. Kharms, A. Vvedensky. The study is based on archival sources.
Russkaâ literatura. 2025;(1):239-323
239-323
257-323
257-324
259-324
263-325
265-325
270-326
272-326
276-327