Various literary salons and circles in the nineteenth century were of significant value for the development of the cultural and social life of Russia over a considerable amount of time. As early as the middle of the eighteenth century, the first literary circles began to appear.
History of occurrence
In the thirties, a circle appeared, formed by the pupils of the land gentry corps - this is a military educational institution in which students were encouraged for their interest in literature and the humanities.
At the same time, other societies arose, including the literary salon of the writer I. I. Shuvalov. He began his career as a favorite of Empress Elizabeth, he was appreciated for selflessness, honesty and enlightenment. It was Shuvalov who became the patron of M.V. Lomonosov, who founded Moscow University and the Academy of Arts. After the death of the empress, his former patroness, Shuvalov withdrew from public affairs and devoted much time to travel, art and reading. Brilliant representatives of Russian literature, philologists, translators, poets gathered in the literary salon of the writer I. I. Shuvalov. The regulars were G.R. Derzhavin, I. Bogdanovich, I. Dmitriev.
In the eighteenth century, circles were not limited solely to discussions about literature; people also organized magazines, and sometimes several. For example, in the sixties of the 18th century in Moscow, the poet M. M. Kheraskov created a circle, which included students from Moscow University. From 1760, they published a magazine called Useful Amusement, and later another magazine, Free Hours. In the seventies, the circle began publishing the journal Evenings. The team included D.I. Fonvizin.
In the 70-80s, when public life became even more active in connection with the reforms of Catherine II, thanks to which city residents and nobles received various benefits, including the right to self-government. These changes also contributed to the rise in the level of culture, in particular, several new literary societies appeared. A free meeting of lovers of the Russian language was created in 1771, a meeting of pupils of the Moscow University boarding school in 1787.
In 1779, the Masonic organization, which included such enlighteners as I. G. Schwartz and N. I. Novikov, created the Friendly Academic Society on the basis of Moscow University. The task of society was to assist fathers in raising children, for this purpose translation and publication of books on this topic began. The year 1784 is marked by the organization of the Printing House, which was headed by N.I. Novikov. Thanks to this printing house and to society itself, in the second half of the 18th century, many Russian books were published.
Further development
Literary salons in the first half of the 19th century already play a large role in public life. At the beginning of the century, enlighteners and writers were arguing violently about the various ways in which the development of the Russian language and literature could go. At this time, there are clashes of views of supporters of the "archaic" language and adherents of renewal. The former included A. A. Shakhovskaya and A. S. Shishkov, the latter - N. M. Karamzin. A variety of literary trends are booming. Russian literature at the beginning of the nineteenth century is surprising: sentimentalism and classicism coexist in it, and at the same time romanticism is emerging. The interest of enlightened youth in politics is growing, thoughts are floating in the air about the need for various reforms in the political and socio-economic spheres, and above all the abolition of serfdom. Thus, the activities of literary circles at the beginning of the nineteenth century were affected not only by aesthetic issues, but also by political ones.
Friendly Literary Society
One of the first literary salons in Moscow at the beginning of the 19th century was the "Friendly Literary Society". The initiator was a group of young people who were graduates of the Moscow University hostel, among them were brothers Alexander and Andrei Turgenev, V. A. Zhukovsky and others. As far back as 1797, Andrei Turgenev created a literary boarding school, in 1801 he became a literary society. The members of this circle were often published on the pages of the "Morning Dawn" - the University Board magazine. Most often, meetings of participants were held in the house of the poet, journalist, and translator A.F. Voeikov. The members of this literary circle set themselves the task of strengthening the national principle in literature. To some extent, they supported Karamzin's innovations in the linguistic field, but considered the adoption of foreign models to be wrong, and that, in their opinion, was what Karamzin did. However, over time, the positions of these two sides became somewhat closer.
In Petersburg
Literary salons of St. Petersburg were also very significant for public life. At the beginning of the century, a very strong society was operating here, which was called the "Friendly Society of Lovers of the Fine." Subsequently, the name was changed to "Free society of lovers of literature, science and art." This circle was founded by teacher and writer I. M. Born. The members of this art and literary salon were eminent writers, artists, archaeologists, sculptors, historians and even priests. The artistic and socio-political views of the members of the circle were very different. At first, society fell under the influence of the ideas of A. N. Radishchev, because among the members there were two sons of the writer, so the whole composition of the circle gravitated to classic literature. And although over time the views and general mood in this society changed greatly, this did not prevent him from successfully functioning until 1825, although there were big breaks in his work.
Influence on the development of literature
Some literary salons of the 19th century. (its first half) played a significant role in the development of literature of that period. For example, in the first quarter of a century, a circle called the "Conversation of Russian Word Lovers", functioning from 1811 to 1816, and Arzamas, which began its work in 1815 and ended it in 1818, were very influential. These societies represented diametrically opposing views in Russian literature and were in constant opposition. The “talk” was founded by philologist and writer A. S. Shishkov, who was also the leader of the “archaistic” trend in literature (Yu. N. Tynyanov introduced the term “archaists”). In 1803, Shishkov criticized the Karamzin reform and proposed his own, which suggested a sharper line between spoken and literary languages, as well as the use of folk and archaic vocabulary instead of borrowing foreign words. Shishkov was supported by other members of his literary circle, such representatives of the older generation as I. A. Krylov, G. R. Derzhavin, A. A. Shakhovskoy, N. I. Gnedich (the famous translator of the Iliad), and then their young successors, including V.K. Kyukhelbeker and A.S. Griboedov.
Karamzin was not afraid of the Russification of many words borrowed from foreign languages, and introduced a light, conversational style into Russian literature. His supporters were united in a well-known literary society called Arzamas. It arose after the release of the comedy "Lipetsk Waters, or the Lesson to Yokes," authored by A. A. Shakhovsky, a member of Conversation. Long-time followers of Karamzin’s ideas, and even those who once did not like these ideas, became Arzamas. The society consisted of many poets, whom Yu. N. Tynyanov attributed to the "innovators": K. N. Batyushkov, P. A. Vyazemsky, V. A. Zhukovsky, A. S. Pushkin and his uncle. Fun fact: every Arzamas man had a humorous nickname. For example, Zhukovsky was called Svetlana (the reason for this was his famous ballad), and Alexander Turgenev was called Aeolian Harp. This nickname he received due to the constant grumbling in his stomach.
Political Views
At some point, the history of literary salons ceases to be only the history of the association of figures for the sake of discussions about art. Many people in literary societies were united not only by literary views and friendly relations, but also by political views. This was clearly manifested in literary societies at the junction of the 10s and 20s of the 19th century, most of these manifestations were associated with the Decembrist movement. For example, the Green Lamp circle, which was founded in St. Petersburg in 1819 and lasted only a year, was founded by S. P. Trubetskoy, who was part of the Union of Welfare, Y. N. Tolstoy, very close to the Decembrists movement, N. V Vsevolozhsk, a great connoisseur and connoisseur of literature and theater of that time. The Green Lamp consisted of many enlighteners and writers of the time, including A. A. Delvig and A. S. Pushkin. At the meetings of the society not only literary works and theatrical premieres were discussed, but also journalistic articles, as well as political discussions.
Another literary circle is the Free Society of Russian Literature Lovers. It was founded at Moscow University in 1811, it included many Decembrists, such as K.F. Ryleyev, V.K. Kyukhelbeker, A.A. Bestuzhev, F.N. Glinka.
Twenties
The mid-twenties are marked by serious changes in the social situation. Alexander I refuses the reforms that he has been considering for the past two decades. The country's domestic policy is becoming tougher, the persecution of journalists and liberal professors is beginning, the situation at universities is getting tougher, and the position of literary salons that have pursued any socio-political goals is becoming more complicated.
The largest association of writers of these years is the Society of Wisdom. It was founded in 1823 by graduates of Moscow University, and the aim is to study literature and philosophy. One of the ideological inspirers is D.V. Venevitinov - a poet and philosopher, V.F. Odoevsky and I.V. Kirievsky, who at that time was only a university graduate who in the future became a supporter of the Slavophiles. Also at the source were young scientists who in the future became professors - M.P. Pogodin and S.P. Shevyrev. Society meetings were held in the house of the philosopher Venevitinov. Members of society seriously studied Western philosophy, studied the works of Kant, Spinoza and Fichte, but the ideas of the German philosopher F. Schelling had a special influence. However, his ideas made a tremendous impression on the entire generation of the 1920s and 1930s, and especially on the views of the Slavophiles, who were just emerging at that time.
The circle was called the "Society of Wisdom", which testifies not only to the interest in philosophy as a whole, but also to national culture and philosophy. V.F. Odoevsky, together with V.K. Kyukhelbeker in 1824 and 1825 published an almanac called "Mnemosyne." It published the works of many members of the Society of Wisdom.
Mid century
In the mid-19th century, the political nature of literary societies became more pronounced. For example, the circle, which was convened on Fridays by Butashevich-Petrashevsky, consisted of journalists and writers (among them M.E.Saltykov-Shchedrin and F.M. Dostoevsky), but not so much literature issues become the center of interests of this society as issues of socio-political problems. The members of this circle were engaged in reading and discussing the works of socialist thinkers, and paid much attention to the works of Charles Fourier. They also spoke out about the need to start promoting the ideas of the revolution. At this time, literary and socio-political life are strongly intertwined. Society was defeated by one of the charges against members of the circle, including F. M. Dostoevsky.
Sixties
Reforms of this decade radically change the situation in the state. The ability to freely express thoughts is increasing, there is a greater rise in the social movement (both liberal and revolutionary). The form of literary salons can no longer fully meet the needs of the new time, because the value of "pure art" began to deny many critics and writers. A large number of student groups pursue not literary, but revolutionary goals. The editors of magazines to some extent assume the responsibilities of literary circles. An important part of public life is the editorial office of Sovremennik magazine.
End of century
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries. a search is underway for new ways in art. It was at this time that a large number of literary associations and circles appeared. In the 80-90s, St. Petersburg writers meet on Fridays at J.P. Polonsky. These weekly meetings brought together many writers and musicians. In 1898, after the death of the poet, the meetings were transferred to the house of his friend K.K. Sluchevsky. Despite the old age of the owner of the house, not only his peers appeared in society, but also many poets of the younger generation. N. S. Gumilev also had great reverence for Sluchevsky and attended Friday evenings.
The beginning of a new century
In the twentieth century, new trends in art appear, and, in addition, there is a revival of literary associations and salons. This is facilitated by the turbulent era, which promises political freedom, as well as the desire of the younger generation of writers to unite in order to exchange ideas. The “decadent” life of the beginning of the new century, which itself became an exquisite work of art, could also contribute to the revival of salons. Since 1901, periodic meetings of the religious-philosophical plan were held in the house of Zinaida Gippius and D. Mereshkovsky in St. Petersburg, and later they took shape in the “Religious and Philosophical Society”. The name of this association eloquently tells of their goal: resolving spiritual issues. Members of the society were engaged in the discussion and search for a new Christianity, a dialogue was held here between church leaders and secular intelligentsia. These disputes had a huge impact on the writers themselves. They were reflected in the work of the very initiators of society - Gippius and Mereshkovsky, especially in the trilogy of the latter, which was called "Christ and the Antichrist."
"Wednesday" Ivanov
An essential role in social, philosophical, and literary life at the beginning of the twentieth century was given to "The Environment" by the poet Vyacheslav Ivanov. In 1905, the symbolist settled in St. Petersburg on Tavricheskaya Street. Part of this house was called the "tower". Meetings on Wednesdays took place for several years, such Russian writers as Andrey Bely, Mikhail Kuzmin, Alexander Blok, Fedor Sologub took part in them. However, these were not just literary evenings - poetry, philosophical and historical works were discussed in this society. Spiritual sessions were also held here.
Two editions
And in this period of time, the reactions of the magazines played a role. They, too, were something of a kind of literary associations, artists, writers and critics met here. The editors of the Apollo and Libra magazines were especially distinguished. Among other literary directions, their associations also existed. For example, in 1911, N. S. Gumilev, who had previously visited Ivanov’s Medium and the editors of Libra, created the Society of the Poets Workshop. Under this name, authors united who went beyond the aesthetics of the Symbolists, and later they formed a whole literary direction - acmeism.
In 1914, a society began to gather in the Moscow apartment of the literary critic E. F. Nikitina, which later became known as the Nikitinsky Subbotniks. It successfully existed until 1933. Philologists, artists and writers, musicians, professors and talented graduates of the capital's university met in this music and literature salon. Many artists belonged to completely different directions.
Despite the fact that literary salons in the 19th century played a significant socio-political role and brought together the best artists, all of this came to an end after the 1917 revolution. The civil war and the emigration of many talented cultural figures - this dealt the last blow to most literary circles.
Our days
Interest in literature does not fade away, which means that people are still interested in discussing books. Now people have the opportunity to use the Internet, so many circles exist on the Web. For example, they include the literary salon of the writer Elena Rush. She was born in 1948 in the artist's family, but she began to write quite late, but released three collections of short stories. The literary salon of the writer Elena Rush has been successfully operating for many years, everyone can go to this Internet resource.
Social networks unite people from different parts of the country, so it is not surprising that book lovers create interest groups here too. One of them is the literary salon "Pages of books". This community has opened on the Odnoklassniki social network and has nearly one hundred thousand subscribers. Here you can discuss books, share your opinion, participate in discussions. Every day, administrators publish interesting quotes and excerpts from various works. Of course, the literary salon "Pages of Books" is not the only one. In social networks, there are other similar communities. You can now visit a literary salon without even leaving your home!