NEW NAMES IN RUSSIAN LITERATURE
the results of the "Debut" literary
contest
By V. Zherdeva
The first national "Debut" literary youth contest has been
over. Preliminary results were summed up on New Year's Eve. The "Debut"
prize is designed to encourage young writers making their first steps in
literature. The phrase "talents need support, the untalented will
elbow their way up themselves" has become proverbial. One example
is the famous Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. At the beginning of his literary
career he was patronized by the well-known poets Gavriil Derzhavin and
Vasily
Zhukovsky. To help young talents gradually became a tradition. Renowned
authors read and reviewed works by beginner writers and recommended them
to familiar editors. Two years ago the prominent modern dramatist and historian
Edvard Radzinsky and his popular colleague Dmitry Lipskerov instituted
the "Debut" prize. The aim of the project, supported by the Generation
charity fund, was to "discover" promising writers, propel them
into prominence and thus inject fresh blood into domestic literature. The
2001 "Debut" competition embraced the following categories: big
and smaller prose (a story or an essay), poetry, drama and humorous literature.
Not only citizens of Russia and former Soviet republics, but also descendants
of Russian emigres as well as foreigners writing in Russian, could participate
in the contest. The number of applicants ran over 30 thousand and included
such countries as the United States, Australia, Germany and Israel. It
wasn't so much the virtuosity of style, one rarely achieves at the age
of 17-20, that the jury was particularly interested in, as the depth of
the problems raised and the way they were presented, as well as the feel
of the language. Says Chairman of the prize's Trusteeship Board Edvard
Radzinsky: "These boys and girls brought together by the "Debut"
prize wrote about themselves, about their generation. They may not even
know they are writers. They are "little golden fishes" caught
in our nets". According to Radzinsky, "Debut" prizewinners
can achieve literary recognition if they continue to work hard. The prize
gave them a chance to get noticed. Whether they will seize upon it - remains
to be seen. The jury made up of well-known Russian authors was sometimes
at odds trying to evaluate some or other work. Alexander Ostapenko's "The
Cradle Of Death" was noted as "the most topical work". The
author made an attempt to analyze the tragic developments in Chechnya.
Ostapenko took part in military operations in the North Caucasus as a contract
soldier. Later he took a job as an army correspondent with one of Moscow
newspapers. It should be admitted, however, that so far he is better at
articles than at prose. Another work that merited the jury's attention
was Alexander Silayev's "Anti-Folk Tales". It's a subtle parody
on Russian folk tales. The heroes of his masterfully written short stories
- an intellectual who sold his soul to the devil in exchange for universal
spirituality, a skier on a truth-searching expedition, gangsters who strictly
abide by the "code of honor", knowing that they would take punishment
should they violate it - remind us of fairytale characters familiar form
childhood - the same sorcerers, ploughmen and legendary warriors, only
they live in modern times. The moral is the same as in all fairytales -
no matter what the devil promises, he will cheat; put your trust in God,
but rely on yourself. Poetess Galina Zelinskaya won the jury's esteem for
her poems in which she turns to Judaic myths. The images she creates are
visible and palpable - an angel with heavy bronze wings, God tired of his
own almightiness… At 20, Zelinskaya is already an accomplished poet with
a perfect command of measure and rhythm. Besides a diploma each winner
will receive a copy of his (her) just-published book and a check for 2000
dollars. Russia's Culture Minister Mikhail Shvydkoi said: "This prize
is very important because literature begins there where people start writing
texts. And since the texts written by young authors are very good, it's
important that they get an opportunity to go on writing. I don't agree
with those who say that before tasting fame a writer must taste hardships.
A good government must take care of its writers. I think we might offer
them grants that would enable them to focus on writing". The works
of "Debut"-2000 and "Debut"-2001 prizewinners will
be exhibited along with other Russian books at the International Book Fair
in Frankfurt.
THE MUSEUM OF BREAD IN ST.-PETERSBURG
By N. Yakhontova
A Russian proverb says: "Bread is the chief ruler". And so
it is. Rye bread is the best souvenir the Russians who have to live abroad
for some time can hope to receive. Most of them can't eat local bread.
The Russians are probably the first and only nation to have a museum of
bread. Located in St.-Petersburg, it resembles a big bakery with a wide
array of products. The first thing that catches the eye is a huge mill
constructed of barankas (baked rolls). The exposition showcases dinner
bread, shortbread, spice-cakes of all shapes, flat cakes, the famous round-shaped
Moscow kalatches, pies and lots of other baked goods - some plaster cast,
the others real baked. A special section features bread for cosmonauts
- the so-called "one-bite bread". Each small bit is separately
packed and is really meant for one bite.
Says
the museum's director Marina Yakovleva: "There are no exact data as
to the origin of bread. It could be Egypt or Ancient Rome. But we know
that slave bakers were in special demand. Russian annals mention monastery
bakers. Here one can see ancient grain-breakers, graters and other baker's
tools - a gift from archeologists. Bread had a great part to play in the
life of ancient Russians. A born baby was given a bread soother. Pancakes
were a ritual dish served at a funeral repast. Poor bread baked by the
bride gave the bridegroom every reason to drop her for another girl. Each
family had its own, strictly guarded bread recipe passed on from mother
to daughter".
Among the exhibits is a huge pie 80 cm long and 40 cm high. Similar-sized
pies graced the dinner table of Czar Boris Godunov in the late 16th, early
17th century. "Pies were stuffed with mushrooms, potatoes, berries,
etc." Marina Yakovleva continues. Emperor Peter I liked to shock his
guests, gathered for an "assembly" feast, by ordering a special
"surprise" pie to be served, from which a man would suddenly
jump out. St.-Petersburg was still under construction when Peter I brought
in bakers and ordered them to set up bakeries. Morning bread was sold at
lower prices in the evening. The first mill was built in the Peter-and-Paul's
Fortress. The bakery business was prospering. The only problem was that
the so-called Moscow kalatches wouldn't turn out the way they should because
the local water was different".
The
exhibits are arranged in a historical order. Dried pieces of brown bread
- part of a soldier's food ratio during World War I - are followed by all
sorts of buns, biscuits and cakes that flooded the markets under NEP -
"the new economic policy" when private business was partially
legalized. Next come the somewhat poorer assortment of the 1930s, a peace
of bread weighing 125 grams - a daily ratio per one person during the horrible
years of the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945)- and, finally, post-war and
modern bakery products.
Says Marina Yakovleva: "Modern bread-baking plants have a large-scale
and extremely diversified production. St.-Petersburg, for instance, now
hosts annual bakery festivals. But people also need spiritual food. Our
museum has staged numerous exhibitions of culinary crafts, kitchen interior,
etc. We offer excursions and games for schoolchildren, for instance, a
shop-game in which children are sellers, cashiers and buyers. At the end
of the excursion they are treated to tea, poured from a traditional Russian
"samovar", and buns".
FATHER FROST'S ACADEMY
By L. Korotun
An unusual higher educational establishment opened in Moscow, it is
a kind of official residence of the host of Russian winter - Father Frost's
Academy. Students of the academy will study quite seriously children's
dreams in the hope to become first qualified miracle-makers.
The idea of setting up the academy was prompted by the need to revive
Russia's traditions of New Year and Christmas festivities and to educate
children in the spirit of kindness and grace. Teaching at the academy will
be workers of culture, sociologists and psychologists. Actors, script writers
and producers of children's holidays will become students. Here is more
from Father Frost who came to the opening ceremony from his homeland, the
Russian city of Veliky Ustyug. "Probably, subjects that will be taught
can remind one of a fairy-tale, yet the academy is a genuine one. All student
should try to get only excellent marks since they will have to communicate
with children, my little friends."
The first term will be devoted to Father Frost entirely. The curriculum
includes plenary sessions, lectures of teachers and experts from the Ministry
of Education and the Ministry of Culture. Pride of place will be given
to artistic design of New Year programs and psychology of children's perception
of the image of Father Frost. Students will be taught how to put on make-up,
to entertain children and parents, answer children's letters and to perform
many other duties of fairy-tale heroes.
The rector of the Father Frost Academy, the first deputy to the Moscow
city mayor Lyudmila Shvetsova, says that New Year is the peak of Father
Frost's activity and that of his aides; and they should prepare carefully
for the event. Certainly, what matters most is New Year presents: both
children and adults expect them. Then come holiday performances which are
given in concert halls, at schools and outdoors. Everyone should be entertained.
What is also important is that people should not only have fun during the
holiday--they should be taught to be kind. So, the work of organizer is
not easy, he or she should be well trained for this.
After the course of lectures students of the academy will go to the
city of Veliky Ustyug, the homeland of Father Frost, to study the experience
of their colleagues. They are expected to take a deeper insight into the
work of Father Frost's mail. Graduates of the Academy will be awarded state
certificates of a qualified Father Frost or Snow Maiden, his granddaughter.
Lyudmila Shvetsova says what will be new in the teaching process at
the academy is that the students will be, first of all, taught to be kind
and be prepared to do good. She says the more adults and children will
become graduates of the academy the better since they will acquire knowledge
and a bent to do good for children.
KREMLIN MUSEUMS AND THEIR
FOUNDERS
N. Pronina
The magnificent architectural ensemble of the Moscow Kremlin was created
within several centuries. Its collections also increased gradually, and
today they are on display in the Kremlin Cathedrals, the Armory Chamber,
the Faceted Chamber, the Patriarch Palace and other ancient architectural
monuments, at least some of them.
Today interest is great in Russia in the national history and historic
personalities who were at the cradle of Russian civilization and contributed
to the creation of national culture by their dedicated labor. One of them
is, no doubt, the famous Russian scientist of the 19th century, art historian,
archeologist and collector Georgy Filimonov. Owing to his unique talent
of researcher and his ability to put things in order he made a great contribution
to the formation of the Moscow Kremlin's collection. By God's grace he
had a genius for arranging things in museums. In the 20th century his name
was almost forgotten. The reason is clear. Georgy Filimonov's activity
had much to do with those spheres of life which were a taboo for Soviet
science - events in the tzar's family and religious matters. Those were
things that Soviet people knew nothing about, and they were also compelled
to forget the names of persons involved in those matters though they were
the cream of Russian cultural society. Today it is time to correct those
mistakes.
Recently the Filimonov Readings were held in the conference hall of
the Armory Chamber to mark 175 years since the man's birth. A show telling
the story of his life and work was timed to coincide with the Readings.
The General Director of the Moscow Kremlin museums Yelena Gagarina says
that the museum complex has become the treasury of the national cultural
heritage. The most ancient museum on the Kremlin's territory is the Armory
Chamber; stored there are tzars' arms and other output of the imperial
workshops well-known since the early 16th century. The history of the museum
can be traced back to the year 1806. Many outstanding scientists, artists
and restorers lived in the 19th century who became involved in thorough
studies of the ancient Russian and Medieval arts. They put much effort
into arranging the museum's collections.
When a student of the Philological Department of the Moscow University
Georgy Filimomov compiled one of the most fundamental catalogues of the
Kremlin collection. In 1856 during the coronation festivities he took part
in the work of the Kremlin museum. The festivities were attended by all
European royal families. Their visit to the Moscow Kremlin museum was an
important part of the cultural program. Georgy Filimonov performed his
work so well that the authorities paid attention to him. Since then his
life was dedicated to the Kremlin museums. He was curator of most valuable
treasures. He compiled four volumes of the many-volume "Description
of the Moscow Armory Chamber". The publication saw the light under
his supervision. The description has practical importance to the present
day. It is the example of personal culture and integrity put into work
and that of rational scientific thinking. Georgy Filimonov was known as
an expert on ancient Russian art. He was invited to take part in the work
of the commission to restore icons and frescoes of the Kremlin's Annunciation
Cathedral. In 1867 he prepared Russian exposition at the Paris International
Exhibition. In a group of Russian scientists he came up with the idea of
creating a Society of Ancient Russian Arts under the Moscow Public Museum
and an Imperial Moscow Archeological Society. His activity was versatile.
The General Director of the Moscow Kremlin Museums Helena Gagarina
says: "I hope that the Filimonov Readings will become a tradition.
We plan to discuss numerous culturology problems, some specific matters,
popularization and restoration of museum collections and architectural
complexes. Let's hope that the Filimonov Readings will take a worthy place
in the society's cultural life."
01.24.2002
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