Gorodetsky Sergey Mitrofanovich - a famous Russian poet, one of the prominent representatives of the literary movement Acmeism.
This modernist trend in Russian poetry was formed as a reaction to the extremes of symbolism and followed the principles of the return of clarity to literature, the rejection of the mystical nebula and the acceptance of the earthly world in its real beauty, vivid diversity, visible concreteness.
Sergey Gorodetsky: biography
Sergey Gorodetsky was born in St. Petersburg on January 5, 1884. His family was distinguished by cultural traditions: his mother in his youth was familiar with IS Turgenev, his father was engaged in painting, wrote works on folklore and archeology, and from childhood he instilled in the child an ardent love of poetry. Little Sergey often met prominent writers and artists in his parent’s office, and N.S. Leskov even presented him with the book Lefty with a signature. When the boy was 9 years old, his father died, and all the care for the five children fell on the shoulders of the mother of Ekaterina Nikolaevna.
Student times
In 1902, the young man entered St. Petersburg University at the Faculty of History and Philology. There he made friends with Block A., whose poetry had a strong influence on the future work of a talented student. It was to him, the absolute measure of aesthetic and moral sensuality, that Sergey trusted the most secret thoughts about various phenomena in art and life.
In addition to his passion for poetry, Gorodetsky Sergey Mitrofanovich, whose biography is interesting to the modern generation, was engaged in the study of Slavic languages, Russian literature, the history of art and drawing. He even spent some time in the Kresty prison for his involvement in the literary movement. After studying at the university until 1912, he never graduated.
Creativity of Sergey Gorodetsky
In 1904 and 1905, Gorodetsky made summer trips in the Pskov province, which aroused a sincere interest in folk art in a talented poet. Impressed by intricate ritual dances, old round dances, entertaining tales with elements of pagan antiquity, the 22-year-old author published the book “Yar” (1906) - his first and successful brainchild. In it, the poet vividly recreated the semi-real, multi-colored appearance of Ancient Russia with mythological images in which objects of modern time were originally intertwined with echoes of authentic antiquity, pagan beliefs and ritual games. These were funny mischievous verses breathing the freshness and youth of a poetic feeling.
On the part of critics and readers, Gorodetsky, who embodied ancient Slavic mythology in forms that are understandable to modern literature, only gave meritorious speeches. Trying to continue his bright triumph and return to the once conquered peak of recognition and glory, Sergey began to frantically rush about in search of new ways and tried to expand the range of his own creativity. However, the following publications (collection “Perun” (1907), “Wild Will” (1908), “Russia” (1910), “Willow” (1914)) did not produce the impression that the poet expected. We can say that their appearance has remained almost unnoticed.
Children's folklore in the work of the poet
In the period 1910-1915, the author tries himself in prose and publishes such works as “On Earth”, “Tales. Stories ”,“ Old Nests ”,“ Adam ”, the comedy“ The Dark Wind ”, the tragedy“ Marit ”. Russian literature also owes the appearance of children's folklore to Sergei, who wrote a large number of children's works and collected drawings of young talents.
In 1911, Gorodetsky Sergey Mitrofanovich proved himself to be a literary critic, having prepared for publication the collected works of Ivan Savvich Nikitin and accompanied him with an introductory article and detailed notes. In 1912, having become disillusioned with symbolism, together with Nikolai Gumilyov formed the “Poets Workshop”, began to make presentations and actively proclaim acmeism, which was clearly reflected in the collections “Willow” and “Flowering Staff” (1913).
Friendship with Yesenin
In World War I, Sergei Gorodetsky, whose brief biography is taught in schools, fell under the influence of nationalist sentiments, which is reflected in the collection The Fourteenth Year (1915). This response to official patriotism led him to a quarrel with leading Russian writers.
In 1915, his friendship with Yesenin began, in which the poet Sergei Gorodetsky considered the hope of Russian literature. A fair-haired young man with curly hair came to the apartment of an accomplished poet on the recommendation of Blok; his poems were tied in an ordinary rustic scarf. From the first lines, Sergei Mitrofanovich understood what joy came to Russian poetry. The young poet Yesenin left the house of a hospitable poet with the collection The Fourteenth Year, personally signed by Gorodetsky, and letters of recommendation to various publishers.
In the spring of 1916, Gorodetsky, disappointed in literary work, quarreled with A. Blok and V. Ivanov (leader of the St. Petersburg symbolists) and, as a correspondent for the newspaper, went to the Caucasian Front. It was here that he realized the groundlessness of his recent understandings about the war, which he reflected in verses pierced by ache in pain (“Angel of Armenia”, 1918).
During the February Revolution of 1917, the poet was in Iran, he worked in a camp for typhoid patients. The October events caught him in the Caucasus: first in Tiflis, where he taught aesthetics at the city conservatory, and then in Baku. In 1918, he wrote the poem "Nostalgia", confirming the poet's approval of revolutionary events.
Arrangement of a new world
In 1920, Gorodetsky actively participated in arranging a new life, became the head of the campaign department, headed the literary part of the political department of the Caspian Fleet, took up editing various magazines, and delivered articles and lectures on various topics.
In 1921 he moved to Moscow, where he got a job in the Izvestia newspaper (literary department) and with Nikolai Nikolayevich Aseev (Soviet poet) he headed the literary department of the Revolution Theater. In the 1920s, he constantly revised his literary views, often published. From the beginning of the 30s, Gorodetsky began to actively engage in translations, introducing the readership to the poets of neighboring republics. In addition, he created the original opera libretto for several operas.
Years of war
In the early days of World War II, Sergei, while in Leningrad, wrote the poem "In Response to the Enemy", which he read on the air. Gorodetsky often spoke at call points, rallies, and meetings. During the war, the poet was evacuated to Uzbekistan, and then to Tajikistan. He was engaged in translations of poems by local authors. Before the end of the war he returned to the capital, where he continued to write fruitfully.
In 1945, Sergey Gorodetsky buried his wife Anna Alekseevna, a faithful friend and ally of his whole life. In 1958, his autobiographical work “My Way” was published. In the last years of his life, he was engaged in teaching at the Literary Institute . Gorky. One of Gorodetsky’s last poems was the harp poem, in which the poet addressed the soul of his favorite music, which meant so much to him. Sergey Mitrofanovich Gorodetsky died in 1967, at the age of 83.