Literary salons. History of origin, popular salons of the 19th century. Operating modern salons

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Various literary salons and circles in the nineteenth century were of significant value for the development of the cultural and social life of Russia for 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 formed by pupils of the Land Gentry Corps arose - 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 valued for his disinterestedness, honesty and enlightenment. It was Shuvalov who became the patron of M. V. Lomonosov, who founded the Moscow University and the Academy of Arts. After the death of the empress, who was his patroness, Shuvalov retired from state affairs and devoted much time to travel, art and reading. In the literary salon of the writer I. I. Shuvalov gathered brilliant representatives of Russian literature, philologists, translators, poets. G. R. Derzhavin, I. Bogdanovich, I. Dmitriev were regulars.

In the eighteenth century, circles were not limited solely to conversations 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 of Moscow University. From 1760 they published a magazine called Useful Amusement, and later another magazine, Leisure Hours. In the seventies, the circle took up the publication of the magazine "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 dwellers 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. The Free Assembly of Russian Language Lovers was established in 1771, the Assembly of Pupils of the Moscow University Boarding School - in 1787.

In 1779, the Masonic organization, which included such educators as I. G. Schwartz and N. I. Novikov, created a Friendly Scientific Society on the basis of Moscow University. The task of the society was to help fathers in the upbringing of children, for this they began to translate and publish books on this topic. The year 1784 is marked by the organization of the "Printing Company", which was headed by N. I. Novikov. Thanks to this printing house and the society itself, many Russian books were published in the second half of the 18th century.

Further development

Literary salons in the first half of the 19th century already play a big role in public life. At the beginning of the century, enlighteners and writers vigorously argue about the various paths along 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 first included A. A. Shakhovskaya and A. S. Shishkov, the second - N. M. Karamzin. A variety of literary trends are rapidly developing. Russian literature at the beginning of the nineteenth century is surprising: sentimentalism and classicism coexist in it, and at the same time romanticism is born. The interest of enlightened youth in politics is growing, thoughts are 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 activity of literary circles at the beginning of the nineteenth century was reflected not only in aesthetic questions, but also in political ones.

Friendly Literary Society

One of the first literary salons in Moscow in the early 19th century was the "Friendly Literary Society". The initiator was a group of young people who were graduates of the Moscow University boarding school, among them were the brothers Alexander and Andrei Turgenev, V. A. Zhukovsky and others. Andrei Turgenev inIn 1797 a literary boarding circle was created, in 1801 it became a literary society. Members of this circle were often published on the pages of "Morning Dawn" - the magazine of the University boarding school. Most often, the meetings of the 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 it wrong to accept foreign models, and this, in their opinion, was what Karamzin was doing. However, over time, the positions of these two sides have become somewhat closer.

In St. Petersburg

Literary salons of St. Petersburg were also very significant for public life. Even at the beginning of the century, a very strong society operated here, which was called the "Friendly Society of Lovers of Fine Art". Subsequently, the name was changed to "Free Society of Lovers of Literature, Sciences and Arts". This circle was founded by the teacher and writer I. M. Born. Eminent writers, artists, archaeologists, sculptors, historians and even priests were members of this artistic and literary salon. The artistic and socio-political views of the members of the circle were very different. At first, the society came under the influence of the ideas of A. N. Radishchev, because among the members were two of the writer's sons, so the entire composition of the circle gravitated towards classic literature. And although over time the views and general mood in this society changed greatly, this did not prevent it from functioning successfully until 1825.years, although there were long breaks in the 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 the century, there were very influential circles called "The Conversation of Lovers of the Russian Word", which functioned from 1811 to 1816, and "Arzamas", which began its work in 1815 and ended it in 1818. These societies represented diametrically opposed views in Russian literature and were in constant confrontation. "Conversation" was founded by the philologist and writer A. S. Shishkov, he was also the leader of the "archaistic" direction in literature (Yu. N. Tynyanov introduced such a term as "archaists"). In 1803, Shishkov criticized Karamzin's 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. Kuchelbeker and A. S. Griboedov.

Karamzin was not afraid of the Russification of many words borrowed from foreign languages, and introduced a light, colloquial style into Russian literature. His supporters were united in the famousliterary society called "Arzamas". It arose after the release of the comedy "Lipetsk Waters, or a Lesson for Coquettes", the author of which was A. A. Shakhovsky, a member of "Conversations". Longtime adherents of Karamzin's ideas, and even those who once did not like these ideas, became Arzamas residents. The society consisted of many poets, whom Yu. N. Tynyanov referred to as "innovators": K. N. Batyushkov, P. A. Vyazemsky, V. A. Zhukovsky, A. S. Pushkin and his uncle. Fun fact: every Arzamas had a playful nickname. For example, Zhukovsky was called Svetlana (the reason for this is his famous ballad), and Alexander Turgenev was called the Aeolian Harp. He got this nickname because of the constant grumbling in his stomach.

Political views

At some point, the history of literary salons ceases to be just 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 turn 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, founded in 1819 in St. Vsevolozhsky, a great connoisseur and connoisseur of literature and theater of that time. The "Green Lamp" consisted of manyenlighteners and writers of that 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, and political discussions were also held.

Another literary circle - the Free Society of Lovers of Russian Literature. It was established at Moscow University in 1811 and included many Decembrists, such as K. F. Ryleev, V. K. Kuchelbeker, 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 domestic policy of the country 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 pursued any goals of a socio-political nature is also becoming difficult.

The largest association of writers of these years is the Society of Philosophy. It was founded in 1823 by graduates of Moscow University, and the goal 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, at that time still only a university graduate, who later became a supporter of the Slavophiles. Also at the origins were young scientists who later became professors - M. P. Pogodin and S. P. Shevyrev. Society meetings were held in the house of the philosopher Venevitinov. Society members seriouslyWestern philosophy was studied, the works of Kant, Spinoza and Fichte were studied, but the ideas of the German philosopher F. Schelling had a special influence. However, his ideas made a huge impression on the entire generation of the 20s and 30s, and especially on the views of the Slavophiles, who were just emerging at that time.

The circle was called the Society of Philosophy, which testifies not only to the interest in philosophy in general, but also in national culture and philosophy. V. F. Odoevsky, together with V. K. Kuchelbeker, published an almanac under the name "Mnemosyne" in 1824 and 1825. It published the works of many members of the Society of Philosophy.

Mid-Century

In the middle of the 19th century, the political character of literary societies became more and more pronounced. For example, the circle, which met on Fridays at Butashevich-Petrashevsky, consisted of journalists and writers (among them are M. E. S altykov-Shchedrin and F. M. Dostoevsky), but the center of interests of this society is not so much questions of literature as issues of socio-political problems. The members of this circle read and discussed the works of socialist thinkers, and paid much attention to the works of Charles Fourier. They also spoke about the need to start propaganda of the ideas of the revolution. At this time, literary and socio-political life are strongly intertwined. The society was crushed by one of the accusations against members of the circle, including F. M. Dostoevsky.

Sixties

Reform thisdecades radically change the situation in the state. The opportunity to freely express thoughts is increasing, there is a greater upsurge 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 many critics and writers began to deny the meaning of "pure art". A large number of student circles pursue not literary, but revolutionary goals. The editorial offices of journals to some extent take on the duties of literary circles. The editorial office of the Sovremennik magazine is becoming an important part of social life.

End of the century

At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. search for new ways in art. It was at this time that a large number of literary associations and circles arose. In the 1980s and 1990s, St. Petersburg writers met on Fridays at Ya. P. Polonsky's. Many writers and musicians gathered at these weekly meetings. In 1898, after the death of the poet, the collections were moved to the house of his friend K. K. Sluchevsky. Despite the advanced age of the owner of the house, not only his peers appeared in society, but also many poets of the younger generation. N. S. Gumilyov also treated Sluchevsky with great reverence 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 a turbulent era that 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, in the house of Zinaida Gippius and D. Mereshkovsky in St. Petersburg, periodic meetings of a religious and philosophical plan were held, and later they took shape in the "Religious and Philosophical Society". The name of this association eloquently tells about their goal: the solution of spiritual issues. Members of the society were engaged in discussion and search for a new Christianity, there was a dialogue between church leaders and secular intelligentsia. These disputes had a huge impact on the writers themselves. They were also reflected in the work of the initiators of the society - Gippius and Mereshkovsky, especially in the trilogy of the latter, which was called "Christ and Antichrist".

"Wednesdays" Ivanov

A significant role in social, philosophical and literary life at the beginning of the twentieth century was played by "Wednesdays" by the poet Vyacheslav Ivanov. In 1905, the Symbolist settled in St. Petersburg on Tavricheskaya Street. Part of this house was called "towers". Meetings on Wednesdays took place for several years, such Russian writers as Andrei 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. Ouija séances were also held here.

Two editions

And during this period of time, the reactions of magazines playeda certain role. They were also something of a kind of literary associations, artists, writers and critics met here. The editors of the magazines "Apollo" and "Vesy" especially stood out. Among other literary movements, there were also associations. For example, in 1911, N. S. Gumilyov, who had previously visited Ivanov's "Wednesdays" and the editorial office of "Scales", created the "Workshop of Poets" society. Under this name, authors who went beyond the aesthetics of the Symbolists united, and later they formed a whole literary trend - acmeism.

In 1914, a society began to gather at the Moscow apartment of the literary critic E. F. Nikitina, which later became known as "Nikitinsky Subbotniks". It successfully existed until 1933. Philologists, artists and writers, musicians, professors and talented graduates of the capital's university met in this musical and literary salon. Many artists belonged to completely different areas.

Despite the fact that literary salons in the 19th century played a significant socio-political role and united the best artists, all this came to an end after the 1917 revolution. The civil war and the emigration of many talented cultural figures - this de alt the final blow to most literary circles.

Our days

Interest in literature is not fading, which means that people are still interested in discussing books. Now people have the opportunity to use the Internet, so many circles exist inNetworks. For example, the literary salon of the writer Elena Rush can be attributed to them. She was born in 1948 in the family of an artist, but she began to write quite late, but she released three collections of short stories. The literary salon of the writer Elena Rush has been successfully functioning for many years, everyone can go to this Internet resource.

Social networks bring people together from different parts of the country, so it is not surprising that book lovers form associations here as well. One of them is the literary salon "Book Pages". This community was opened in the Odnoklassniki social network and has almost 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. There are other similar communities in social networks. Now you can visit the literary salon without even leaving your home!