Nikolai Zabolotsky: biography, creativity

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

The Silver Age gave the world a galaxy of amazing poets. Akhmatova, Mandelstam, Tsvetaeva, Gumilyov, Blok… Either the time was so unusual, or the universe hesitated for a moment, and the probability theory missed this incredible coincidence. But one way or another, the beginning of the twentieth century is the time of fireworks, festive fireworks in the world of Russian poetry. The stars flared up and went out, leaving behind poems - famous and not so famous.

Known unknown Zabolotsky

One of the most underestimated authors of that time was 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 the work of Zabolotsky is known to almost everyone - but many have no idea that this is Zabolotsky. “Kissed, bewitched, with the wind in the field…”, “The soul must work…” and even “Kotya, kitty, kitty…”. All this is Zabolotsky Nikolai Alekseevich. The poems belong to him. They went to the people, became songs and lullabies for children, the name of the author turned into an extra formality. On the one hand, the most sinceredeclaration of love of all possible. On the other hand, a blatant injustice towards the author.

Prose poet

The curse of underestimation touched not only the poet's poems, but also his own life. She has always been "out of character". Did not meet the standards, ideas and aspirations. For a scientist, he was too much of a poet, for a poet too much of a layman, for a man in the street too much of a dreamer. His spirit did not match his body in any way. Blond of medium height, chubby and prone to fullness, Zabolotsky gave the impression of a solid and sedate person. A respectable young man of a very prosaic appearance in no way corresponded to the ideas of a true poet - sensitive, vulnerable and restless. And only people who knew Zabolotsky closely understood that under this external sham importance lies a surprisingly sensitive, sincere and cheerful person.

Zabolotsky's endless contradictions

Even the literary circle, in which Nikolai Alekseevich Zabolotsky found himself, was “wrong”. Oberiuts - shameless, funny, 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 Zabolotsky's literary preferences. Famous Soviet poets left him indifferent. He also did not like Akhmatova, highly valued by the near-literary environment. But the restless, restless, ghostly surreal Khlebnikov seemed to Zabolotskya great and profound poet.

This man's worldview contrasted painfully with his appearance, his way of life and even his origins.

Childhood

Zabolotsky was born on April 24, 1903 in the Kazan province, Kizichesky settlement. His childhood was spent on farms, in villages and villages. Father is an agronomist, mother is a rural teacher. They lived first in the Kazan province, then moved to the village of Sernur in the Vyatka province. Now it is the Republic of Mari El. Later, many noted the characteristic northern dialect that broke through in the poet’s speech - after all, it was from there that Nikolai Zabolotsky was born. The biography of this man is closely intertwined with his work. Love for the land, respect for peasant labor, a touching affection for animals, the ability to understand them - all this Zabolotsky took out of his village childhood.

Zabolotsky began to write poetry early. Already in the third grade, he "published" a handwritten magazine in which he published his own works. Moreover, he did 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 one might expect, but also chemistry, drawing, and history. These hobbies later determined the choice made by Nikolai Zabolotsky. The biography of the poet has preserved traces of creative throwing, the search for himself. Arriving in Moscow, he immediately entered two faculties of the university: medical and historical-philological. Later, however, he chose medicine and even studied there for a semester. But in 1920 to live inthe capital, without outside help, it was difficult for a student. Unable to bear the lack of money, Zabolotsky returned to Urzhum.

Poet and scientist

Later Zabolotsky nevertheless graduated from the institute, but already Petrogradsky, at the rate of "Language and Literature". He wrote poetry, but he was not considered talented. Yes, and he himself spoke of his works of that period as weak and imitative through and through. Those around him saw him more as a scientist than a poet. Indeed, science was the area that Nikolai Zabolotsky was always interested in. The poet's biography could have turned out differently if he had decided to engage not in versification, but in scientific research, to which he always had a penchant.

After training, Zabolotsky was drafted into the army. During his service, he was a member of the editorial board of the regimental wall newspaper and was very proud later that it was the best in the district.

Zabolotsky in Moscow

In 1927, Zabolotsky nevertheless 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 seething literary life of the capital. He attended debates and poetry evenings, dined at famous cafes where Moscow poets were regulars.

During this period, Zabolotsky's literary tastes were finally formed. He came to the conclusion that poetry should not be simply a reflection of the author's emotions. No, in poetry you need to talk about important, necessary things! How such views on poetry were combined with love for Khlebnikov's work is a mystery. But preciselyZabolotsky considered him the only poet of that period worthy of the memory of his descendants.

Zabolotsky surprisingly combined the incongruous. He was a scientist at heart, practical and pragmatic to the core. He was interested in mathematics, biology, astronomy, read scientific works on these disciplines. The philosophical works of Tsiolkovsky made a huge impression on him, Zabolotsky even entered into correspondence with the author, discussing cosmogonic theories. And at the same time, he was a subtle, lyrical, emotional poet, writing poetry infinitely far from academic dryness.

First book

It was then that another name appeared in the lists of OBERIU members - Nikolai Zabolotsky. The biography and work of this man were closely connected with the circle of innovative poets. The absurd, grotesque, illogical style of the Oberiuts, combined with Zabolotsky's academic thinking and his deep sensitivity, made it possible to create complex and multifaceted works.

In 1929, Zabolotsky's first book, "Columns", was published. Alas, the result of the publication was only the ridicule of critics and dissatisfaction with the official authorities. Fortunately for Zabolotsky, this accidental conflict with the regime did not have any serious consequences. After the publication of the book, the poet published in the Zvezda magazine and even prepared material for the next book. Unfortunately, this collection of poems was never signed for publication. A new wave of bullying forced the poet to abandon his dreams of publication.

Nikolai Alekseevich Zabolotskybegan working in the genre of children's literature, in publications supervised by Marshak himself - at that time in the literary world a figure of exceptional significance.

Translator work

In addition, Zabolotsky began to translate. "The Knight in the Panther's Skin" is still familiar to readers in Zabolotsky's translation. In addition, he translated and arranged for children's editions of Gargantua and Pantagruel, Til Ulenspiegel and one section of Gulliver's Travels.

Marshak, the country's No. 1 translator, spoke highly of Zabolotsky's work. At the same time, the poet began to work on a translation from the Old Slavonic "The Tale of Igor's Campaign". It was a huge job done with extraordinary talent and care.

Translated by Zabolotsky and Alberto Saba, a little-known Italian poet in the USSR.

Marriage

In 1930, Zabolotsky married Ekaterina Klykova. Oberiut friends spoke of her exceptionally warmly. Even the caustic Kharms and Oleinikov were fascinated by the fragile, silent girl.

The life and work of Zabolotsky were closely connected with this amazing woman. Zabolotsky was never rich. Moreover, he was poor, sometimes simply poor. The meager earnings of a translator barely allowed him to support his family. And all these years, Ekaterina Klykova did not just support the poet. She completely handed over to him the reins of government of the family, never arguing with him or reproaching anything with him. Even family friends were amazed at the woman's devotion, noting that there is something not entirely in such dedication.natural. The way of the house, the slightest economic decisions - all this was determined only by Zabolotsky.

Arrest

Therefore, when the poet was arrested in 1938, Klykova's life collapsed. She spent all five years of her husband's imprisonment in Urzhum, in extreme poverty.

Zabolotsky was accused of anti-Soviet activities. Despite lengthy exhausting interrogations and torture, he did not sign the indictments, did not acknowledge 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 camp imprisonment, and Zabolotsky spent five years in Vostoklage, located in the Komsomolsk-on-Amur region. There, in inhuman conditions, Zabolotsky was engaged in a poetic transcription of "The Tale of Igor's Campaign". As the poet later explained, in order to preserve oneself as a person, not to sink to that state in which it is no longer possible to create.

Recent years

In 1944, the term was interrupted, and Zabolotsky received the status of an exile. For a year he lived in Altai, where his wife and children also came, then he moved to Kazakhstan. These were difficult times for the family. Lack of work, money, eternal uncertainty about the future and fear. They were afraid of being re-arrested, they were afraid that they would be kicked out of temporary housing, they were afraid of everything.

In 1946, Zabolotsky returned to Moscow. He lives with friends, works as a translator, life begins to slowly improve. And then another tragedy happens. Wife, infinitely faithful devoted wife, courageously endured all the hardships and hardships,suddenly goes to someone else. He does not betray out of fear for his life or the life of his children, he does not run away from poverty and adversity. It's just that at forty-nine, this woman leaves for another man. This broke Zabolotsky. The proud, conceited poet painfully experienced the collapse of family life. Zabolotsky's life 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 his hand and heart to an unfamiliar, in fact, woman, and, according to the recollections of friends, not even in person, but by phone. He hastily married, spent some time with his new wife and broke up with her, simply deleting his second wife from his life. It was to her, and not to her wife at all, 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 earn decent money. He was able to survive the breakup with his wife - but he could not survive her return. When Ekaterina Klykova returned to Zabolotsky, he had a heart attack. He was ill for a month and a half, but during this time he managed to put all his affairs in order: sorted out poems, wrote a will. He was a thorough man in death as well as in life. By the end of his life, the poet had money, popularity, and readership. But that couldn't change anything. Zabolotsky's he alth was undermined by the camps and years of poverty, and the heart of an elderly man could not withstand the stress caused by experiences.

Zabolotsky's death came on 1958-14-10. He died on his way to the bathroom, where he went to brush his teeth. Doctors forbade Zabolotsky to get up, but hehas always been a neat person and even a little pedant in everyday life.