It is difficult to find in Russian society a person so comprehensive and deserving so many awards as the Soviet and Russian sociologist, philologist, teacher, and cultural figure Boris Dubin. This is truly an amazing person who has made a huge contribution to the development of sociology in our country.
Biography of Boris Dubin
Boris was born in Moscow in 1946. The Dubin family was simple and came from the village to Moscow when the boy was about 5 years old. Boris himself recalls that the main task of the family was adaptation in the new city, and there was not enough time and energy for cultural education. Therefore, the boy had to develop his spiritual world himself.
Even at the age of five, my mother brought the child to the library, and, according to Boris himself, he stayed there forever. An incredible love of reading made the boy from a simple family the best translator and writer of our time.
In 1970, Boris Dubin graduated from the philological faculty of Moscow State University, after which he began working in the country's main library - the Lenin library.
Surprisingly, as a young man, the young man avoided Russian literature and classical literature in general. In the family of doctors it was not customary to read anything other than special professional and scientific literature. However, later it was Boris Dubin who became the best translator of classical literature from French, Latin American, Polish and Spanish.
After serving in the library, Boris worked in the All-Union Book Chamber, and later became an employee of the center for the study of public opinion.
So this amazing person and thinker combined the abilities of a brilliant sociologist and a talented writer.
Dubin - writer
One can talk endlessly about the merits of Boris Vladimirovich Dubin in the context of literary activity.
Even while studying at Moscow State University, Boris published his first works. In 1972, he first published the first translations, these were Gauthier's poems.
Then there were many translations that played a significant role in the development of literature and culture in Russia. He translated poets and writers from Europe, America and Asia. With its help, Russia saw the works of the greatest classics, writers of the Golden Age of European literature. He has published many fundamental works of foreign writers, articles on literature and culture, the development of literature both in Russia and abroad.
Dubin published his own collection, which included poems by his authorship and translations.
Dubin - a sociologist
In sociology, Boris Vladimirovich also played an important role. Colleagues, recalling Dubin after his death, often call his thoughts in terms of the development of society in our country prophetic. Indeed, much of what he wrote and said about the development of the media, relations with Ukraine and the situation of power and people can be observed now.
As mentioned above, Boris Dubin was a leading employee in the center for the study of public opinion. His experience and knowledge in the field of literature and sociology helped him create an analytical department inside the center. It was literature that became the impetus for the study of social processes, because it fully reflects society.
He published such books as “The Special Way and Social Order in Modern Russia”, “Majority, the Crowd and the Construction of Power” and many others.
Dubin talked about freedom, power, the fate of society and mass social psychology, confirming his thoughts with concrete examples and arguments. His articles and publications on these topics do not lose their relevance.
"About people and books"
The collection "On People and Books" by Boris Dubin became one of his largest books. Unfortunately, during his lifetime he did not manage to finish it, and therefore the book was published under the editorship of Boris Vladimirovich’s son.
It is a collection of translations, articles and reviews, the most striking and capacious, according to Boris and his son. Here you can find the author’s thoughts, notes, autobiography and works on sociological and linguistic topics.
The book is a kind of result of all Dubin's work, the logical conclusion of his research and analytical work. Many of Boris Vladimirovich’s colleagues, students and friends find in the collection something completely personal, reflecting the character and inner world of the author.
This collection is equally filled with philosophical discussions about religion, society, politics and culture, as well as scientific studies, statistics and prognostic notes.
In the collection you can read the discussion about social institutions and the changes that they are undergoing. Dubin tells the reader about the state, church, family and other fundamental things. It affects everything that surrounds us every day.
Boris Dubin and the sociology of literature
In the modern sense, the sociology of literature is that part of sociology that studies the development and influence of literature on the masses. The influence of the media can also be attributed to this.
Dubin himself believed that it was the media that shaped public opinion and public consciousness. In one of his speeches, he said that television in the modern world obeys one rule and deprives a person of an alternative. Absolutely all TV channels, newspapers and magazines work according to the same strategy and, if you look at the essence, are absolutely identical.
In the media, he sees the reason for public indifference to the life of the country. It is television that forms a strong conviction among people that they do not influence the events taking place in the country, and their task is to adapt to the conditions created by the government.
It was with literature that the path of Dubin began. He studied the history of writing, the development of literature in many countries, and could trace the connection between changes in society and politics with changes in literature. In different countries, these relations were different, but the fact that literature forms consciousness and vice versa, he knew for sure and was convinced of this from personal experience.
Memoirs of colleagues
Dubin spent a lot of time at the Center for Public Opinion Research and had many supporters and students. Together with his colleague Gudkov, he taught the sociology of culture. His bold thoughts and remarks fascinated many, and therefore he became a comrade and mentor for a large number of people.
After the death of Boris Vladimirovich, many recall how he contributed to the development of literature and culture in the country, and to the personal development of everyone with whom he spoke.
So, Tatyana Vorozheykina bitterly speaks of his truly prophetic reflections on the political and economic situation in the country and the development of society.
His students enthusiastically recall how Boris Vladimirovich’s lectures opened new horizons for them, because he knew how to see and notice such details that no one could see. He taught to think differently, and he did it.
Awards
Dubin’s activities did not go unnoticed not only in Russia, but throughout the world. He received many awards for his translations and publications in the field of sociology.
Boris Vladimirovich was awarded the title of Chevalier of the Order of Merit in 2008 in France. He became the winner of many different awards in Hungary, Spain, France and Russia, the prize named after Maurice Varksmacher, Efim Etkind and others.
The biggest award during his lifetime for Boris himself was recognition. His articles were published, students actively and with pleasure attended lectures, colleagues respected. Boris traveled a lot and lectured in many cities of Russia and Europe.
Conclusion
Dubin Boris Vladimirovich was a rare person, incredibly educated, reasonable, and, according to his relatives, still bright and kind.
After his death, many events, concerts, evenings were held in his honor and a book fair was organized in his name. Photos of Boris Dubin were posted at the institute where he taught, at the Center for Public Opinion Research, in libraries. His death is a real loss for Russia and the world. However, the works of Boris Vladimirovich remained his descendants and will not lose their relevance for a long time.