Tikhonov Nikolai Semenovich, whose biography is associated with Soviet poetry, devoted his whole life to serving not only the Muse, but also his state. For some reason, literary critics attribute him to the “second tier” of Russian lyricists, while the poet has his own voice, many creative successes and advantages.
Childhood and family
On November 22, 1896, Nikolai Tikhonov was born in St. Petersburg, a brief biography of which is described in one word: “Poet,” with a capital letter. Its origin did not portend the choice of such a path in the future. He appeared in a very simple and poor family. His father was a simple hairdresser, and his mother was a dressmaker. Family incomes were more than modest, there was hardly enough money for the necessary needs. They lived in the famous house on Morskaya Street, in which Pushkin and Herzen once visited. But at the time of Tikhonov it was a house for the poor: small dark rooms, kerosene lighting, wretched atmosphere. The atmosphere in which the future poet grew did not in any way favor the formation of a love of art. Parents literally collected pennies to give their children at least a minimal education.
Study
Tikhonov Nikolay almost independently learned to read and write at the age of seven. Then the parents found the opportunity and sent the boy to study at a city school on Pochtamtskaya Street. He loved reading, especially history and geography. Then he was able to continue his education at the School of Commerce, but at the age of 15 he had to leave her, as the family was in dire need of help, and he had to go to work. He never had a chance to return to school anymore. In fact, Tikhonov was self-taught, he derived knowledge from books, it was fascinating works about distant lands and adventures that prompted him to start literary activity.
The beginning of the way
After school, Nicholas went to work as a scribe at the Marine Economic Administration. At 19, he went to military service, for three years he served in the hussar regiment, the poet takes part in the battles of the First World War. In 1918, after the October Revolution, Tikhonov joined the Red Army and defended the rights of the new Soviet state for three years.
Nikolai Tikhonov writes his debut poems very early, at the age of 18 he composes the first works. His first publication appeared when he was 22 years old. In 1922, Nicholas was discharged from the army and made a fateful decision to become a writer. At this time, he joins the avant-garde literary movement, becomes a member of the Serapion Brothers association, together with such authors as V. Kaverin, M. Zoshchenko, K. Fedin, M. Slonimsky. In the period of formation, Tikhonov was strongly influenced by acmeism and N. Gumilyov.
Years of success
In the early 1920s, Nikolai Tikhonov, whose photo often flashes in the Soviet newspapers, is included in a galaxy of talented and very popular poets. He publishes the poem Themselves, collections of Horde and Braga. His "Ballad of Nails" literally understands slogans and quotes. Since the late 1920s, Tikhonov has traveled a lot; he has traveled to the Caucasus, Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. He became friends with many poets of the fraternal republics and during this period he makes many translations of Georgian, Dagestan, Belarusian, Uzbek, Ukrainian lyrics. In 1935 he was sent to France for the Congress "In Defense of Peace." Since the poet actively supports the line of the party and government, he manages to publish a lot, travel, and speak to the public. In 1939, Tikhonov again enlisted in the army, he participated in the Russo-Finnish war as a war correspondent and editor of the newspaper “Guard the Homeland”. During the Second World War, he works in the Political Administration of the Leningrad Front. At this time, he writes a lot of prose and poetry, as well as journalism.
Post-war period
At the end of the war, Nikolai Tikhonov, a poet with a vibrant civic stance, is devoting more and more energy to public work. Since 1949, he heads the Soviet Peace Committee, and then the World Peace Council. At this time, he makes many foreign trips to Europe and China. Since 1944 he has been working as chairman of the Union of Writers of the USSR, then he is included in the highest ranks of the leadership of this trade union. Since 1946, for many years he was a deputy of the Supreme Council of the RSFSR, the Moscow Soviet. Tikhonov writes much less during this period; the struggle with opponents of the party line takes a lot of time. In 1947, he was actively involved in the fight against cosmopolitanism, criticizing the book Pushkin and World Literature. Gradually, a fascination with meetings, congresses and speeches took all his time, outliving the poet in him.
Poetic heritage
Tikhonov Nikolai Semenovich, whose biography is closely related to the Soviet regime, left a not very rich, but interesting poetic legacy. In his luggage there are more than 10 poems, the most famous of which are “Themselves” and “Vyra”. He created 10 author's collections of poems. The most notable were Twelve Ballads, Braga, and Shadow of a Friend. The works of recent decades have been too stained by ideology, which greatly reduced their penetration and artistic value. His poetry was always characterized by patriotism, civil pathos in them was expressed brightly and effectively. In the postwar years, he chose the main theme of his work - this is the life and experiences of a simple person. A soldier, the son of a fisherman, a peasant - a poet seeks to talk about their feelings, love for the motherland, awareness of involvement in the formation of a great state of people's power and justice.
Prose N. Tikhonov
In addition to poetry, Nikolai Tikhonov wrote a lot of prose, and some stories and essays surpass his lyrics in terms of talent. His prose is a definite return to childhood dreams and impressions. So, the story “Vambury” tells about the adventures of an orientalist and a traveler. Some of his stories and tales resemble R. Kipling. Tikhonov seeks to talk about other countries, about the struggle for justice, so his works have such great educational power and are often read in schools. During his lifetime, seven collections of short stories and short stories were published, the most notable being “The Oath in the Fog”, “Leningrad Tales”, and “Double Rainbow”. In the last decade, Tikhonov writes memoirs; they are published in the book "The Writer and the Epoch" in 1972. Of great interest is his journalistic heritage. Works of the war period, travel essays in the collection “Nomads” tell about the heroism of ordinary people, about overcoming oneself in the name of an idea.
Awards and Achievements
Tikhonov Nikolai was repeatedly noted by the Government of the USSR for his patriotic activities. He is the only person who, besides L.I. Brezhnev, was awarded the Lenin Prize and the International Lenin Prize "For the consolidation of peace between peoples." In 1966, he was the first of the writers to receive the honorary title of Hero of Socialist Labor. He was awarded Stalin prizes three times , was three times awarded the Order of Lenin, orders of the Red Banner, the October Revolution, World War II, the Red Banner of Labor. Also, Nikolai Semenovich was a laureate of many prizes, including international ones, twice received State prizes.
Public position
Nikolai Semenovich Tikhonov all his life was an active defender of Soviet power. He advocated her ideals in his lyrics, as well as from various public tribunes. He supported the party’s line in the fight against cosmopolitanism, but at the same time did not support the accusations against Akhmatova and Zoshchenko and paid for it as chairman of the Writers' Union. But in 1973, among other writers, he signed a letter that supported the accusations against A. Sakharov and A. Solzhenitsyn of anti-Soviet actions.
Personal life
Nikolai Tikhonov, whose biography knew creative ups and downs, lived a completely prosperous life, having managed to circumvent many troubles that awaited other poets on the way to literature. He managed to go through four wars, but did not even get severe wounds. He was friends with many writers of our time, even after disgrace M. Zoshchenko could always come to his house and find friendly participation there. The faithful companion of the poet was Maria Konstantinovna Neslukhovskaya. She was an artist, for many years she worked in a puppet theater. The wife had a strong influence on the development of Tikhonov, in fact, she was engaged in his development and education, which he could not get. The couple lived together for more than 50 years. The couple did not have children. In 1975, Maria Konstantinovna died, and four years later Nikolai Semenovich left. The poet is buried in the cemetery in Peredelkino. A street in Makhachkala is named after him.