The Silver Age gave the world a galaxy of amazing poets. Akhmatova, Mandelstam, Tsvetaeva, Gumilyov, Blok ... Either time was so extraordinary, or the universe was hesitated for a moment, and probability theory missed this incredible coincidence. But anyway, the beginning of the twentieth century is a time of fireworks, a fireworks display in the world of Russian poetry. The stars flashed and faded, leaving behind verses - known and not so.
Famous Unknown Zabolotsky
One of the most underrated authors of the time is the poet N. Zabolotsky. Everyone knows that Akhmatova is a genius, but not everyone can quote her poems. The same applies to Blok or Tsvetaeva. But almost everyone knows the work of Zabolotsky - but many have no idea that it is Zabolotsky. "Kissed, bewitched, with the wind in the field ...", "The soul must work ..." and even "Kitten, kitten, cat ...". All this is Nikolai Zabolotsky. Poems belong to his pen. They went to the people, became songs and children's lullabies, the name of the author turned into an extra formality. On the one hand - the most sincere declaration of love of all possible. On the other - a blatant injustice towards the author.
Prosaic poet
The curse of underestimation affected not only the poems of the poet, but also his life itself. She was always out of suit. Did not meet standards, perceptions and aspirations. For a scientist, he was too poet, for a poet - too philistine, for a philistine - too dreamer. His spirit did not match his body. Blond of medium height, chubby and inclined to fullness, Zabolotsky made the impression of a man of solid and sedate. A respectable young man of a very prosaic appearance did not at all correspond to the notions of a true poet - sensitive, vulnerable and restless. And only people who knew Zabolotsky closely understood that under this external fake importance was a surprisingly sensitive, sincere and cheerful person.
Endless contradictions of Zabolotsky
Even the literary circle in which Nikolai Alekseevich Zabolotsky ended up was âwrong.â Oberiuts - shameless, mocking, paradoxical, seemed the most inappropriate company for a serious young man. Meanwhile, Zabolotsky was very friendly with Kharms, and with Oleinikov, and with Vvedensky.
Another paradox of inconsistency is the literary preferences of Zabolotsky. Famous
Soviet poets left him indifferent. He did not like Akhmatova, who was much appreciated by the literary environment. But the restless, hesitant, ghostly-surrealistic Khlebnikov seemed to Zabolotsky a great and deep poet.
This personâs worldview painfully contrasted with his appearance, his lifestyle, and even his origin.
Childhood
Zabolotsky was born on 04.24.1903 in the Kazan province, Kizicheskaya Sloboda. His childhood passed on farms, in villages and villages. Father is an agronomist, mother is a rural teacher. They first lived in the Kazan province, then moved to the village of Sernur, Vyatka province. Now it is the Republic of Mari El. Later, many noted the characteristic northern dialect that erupted in the poet's speech - it was from there that Nikolai Zabolotsky was born. The biography of this man was closely intertwined with his work. Love for the land, respect for peasant labor, touching affection for animals, the ability to understand them - all this Zabolotsky brought from his village childhood.
Zabolotsky began to write poetry early. Already in the third grade, he "published" a manuscript magazine in which he published his own works. And he was engaged in this with diligence and diligence inherent in his character.
At the age of ten, Zabolotsky entered the real school of Urzhum. There he was fond of not only literature, as might be expected, but also chemistry, drawing, history. These hobbies later determined the choice made by Nikolai Zabolotsky. The poetâs biography has preserved traces of creative throwing, searching for himself. Arriving in Moscow, he entered immediately two
faculties of the university: medical and historical-philological. Later, he still chose medicine and even studied there for a semester. But in 1920 it was difficult for a student to live in the capital without outside help. Unable to bear the lack of money, Zabolotsky returned to Urzhum.
Poet and scientist
Later, Zabolotsky nevertheless graduated from the institute, but already Petrograd, on the course "Language and Literature". He wrote poetry, but he was not considered talented. And he himself spoke of his works of that period as weak and thoroughly imitative. People around him saw him as a scientist rather than a poet. Indeed, science was the area that Nikolai Zabolotsky was always interested in. The poetâs biography could have turned out differently if he had decided not to engage in versification, but in scientific research, to which he always had a penchant.
After training, Zabolotsky was drafted into the army. During the service, he was a member of the editorial board of the regimental newspaper and was very proud subsequently that she was the best in the district.
Zabolotsky in Moscow
In 1927, Zabolotsky still returned to Moscow, from which he left seven years ago in great disappointment. But now he was no longer a student, but a young poet. Zabolotsky plunged headlong into the bustling literary life of the capital. He attended debates and poetry evenings, dined in famous cafes, where Moscow poets were regulars.
During this period, the literary tastes of Zabolotsky were finally formed. He came to the conclusion that poetry should not be just a reflection of the emotions of the author. No, in verses you need to talk about important things, about the right things! How similar views on poetry combined with love for Khlebnikovâs work is a mystery. But it was his Zabolotsky who believed the only poet of that period worthy of the memory of his descendants.
Zabolotsky surprisingly combined the incongruous. He was a spiritual scientist, practitioner and pragmatist to the marrow of bones. He was interested in mathematics, biology, astronomy, read scientific papers on these disciplines. The philosophical works of Tsiolkovsky made a great impression on him, Zabolotsky even entered into correspondence with the author, discussing cosmogonic theories. And at the same time, it was a subtle, lyrical, emotional poet, writing poetry, infinitely far from academic dryness.
First book
It was then that another name appeared on the lists of OBERIU members - Nikolai Zabolotsky. The biography and work of this man were closely associated with the circle of innovative poets. The absurd, grotesque, illogical stylistics of the Oberiuts, combined with the academic thinking of Zabolotsky and his deep sensitivity, made it possible to create complex and multifaceted works.
In 1929, Zabolotskyâs first book, Columns, was published. Alas, the result of the publication was only ridicule from critics and discontent of the official authorities. Fortunately for Zabolotsky, this accidental conflict with the regime had no serious consequences. After the publication of the book, the poet was published in the journal Zvezda and even prepared material for the next book. Unfortunately, this poetic collection was never signed. A new wave of bullying made the poet abandon his dream of publishing.
Nikolai Alekseevich Zabolotsky began to work in the genre of children's literature, in the publications curated by Marshak himself - a figure of exceptional significance in the literary world at that time.
Translation work
In addition, Zabolotsky began to engage in translations. âThe Knight in the Tiger Skinâ is still familiar to readers precisely in the translation of Zabolotsky. In addition, he translated and translated for the children's editions Gargantua and Pantagruel, Til Uhlenpiegel and one section of Gulliver's Travels.
Marshak, translator number 1 of the country, spoke highly of the work of Zabolotsky. Then the poet began to work on a translation from the Old Slavonic âWords on Igor's Regimentâ. It was a tremendous work done by an unusually talented and thorough.
Translated by Zabolotsky and Alberto Saba, a little-known Italian poet in the USSR.
Marriage
In 1930, Zabolotsky married Ekaterina Klykova. Oberiut friends spoke extremely warmly of her. Even the stinging Harms and Oleinikov were fascinated by the fragile silent girl.
Zabolotskyâs life and work were closely connected with this amazing woman. Zabolotsky was never rich. Moreover, he was poor, sometimes just beggars. The translator's meager earnings barely allowed him to support his family. And all these years, Ekaterina Klykova not only supported the poet. She completely handed over the reins of family to him, never arguing with him or reproaching him with anything. Even the friends of the family marveled at the womanâs devotion, noting that there was something not entirely natural about such selflessness. House style, the smallest economic decisions - all this was determined only by Zabolotsky.
Arrest
Therefore, when in 1938 the poet was arrested, the life of Klykova collapsed. She spent all five years of her husbandâs imprisonment in Urzhum, in extreme poverty.
Zabolotsky was accused of anti-Soviet activity. Despite lengthy debilitating interrogations and torture, he did not sign indictments, did not recognize the existence of an anti-Soviet organization, and did not name any of its alleged members. Perhaps this is what saved his life. The sentence was a camp sentence, and Zabolotsky spent five years in Vostoklag, located in the Komsomolsk-on-Amur region. There, in inhuman conditions, Zabolotsky was engaged in the poetic arrangement of âWords about Igor's Regimentâ. As the poet later explained, in order to preserve oneself as a person, not to stoop to a state in which it is no longer possible to create.
Last years
In 1944, the term was interrupted, and Zabolotsky received exile status. For a year he lived in Altai, where his wife and children came, and then he moved to Kazakhstan. These were hard times for the family. Lack of work, money, eternal uncertainty about tomorrow and fear. They were afraid of re-arrest, they were afraid that they would expel them from temporary housing, they were afraid of everything.
In 1946, Zabolotsky returned to Moscow. He lives with friends, moonlighting as translations, life begins to slowly improve. And then another tragedy happens. A wife, an infinitely faithful devoted wife, courageously enduring all hardships and hardships, suddenly leaves for another. Does not betray from fear for his life or the life of children, does not flee from poverty and adversity. Just at forty-nine, this
woman goes to another man. It broke Zabolotsky. A proud, proud poet painfully suffered the collapse of
family life. Life Zabolotsky gave a roll. He rushed about, frantically looking for a way out, trying to create at least the appearance of a normal existence. He offered a hand and a heart to a woman unfamiliar, in essence, moreover, according to the recollections of friends, not even personally, but by telephone. Hurriedly married, spent some time with his new wife and broke up with her, simply crossing out his second wife from his life. It was to her, and not to his wife, that the poem "My Precious Woman" was dedicated.
Zabolotsky went to work. He translated a lot and fruitfully, he had orders and finally he began to make decent money. He was able to survive the break with his wife - but could not survive her return. When Ekaterina Klykova returned to Zabolotsky, he had a heart attack. He fell ill for a month and a half, but during this time he managed to put all his affairs in order: sorted the verses, wrote a will. He was a thorough man in death as well as in life. Towards the end of his life, the poet had money, and popularity, and reading attention. But this could not change anything. Zabolotskyâs health was undermined by the camps and years of poverty, and the elderly manâs heart could not withstand the stress caused by the experiences.
The death of Zabolotsky came on October 14, 1958. He died on the way to the bath, where he went to brush his teeth. Doctors forbade Zabolotsky to get up, but he was always a neat man and even a little pedant in everyday life.