MAXIM GORKY’S PARTICIPATION IN CHILDREN’S LITERARY PROJECTS

Abstract

Maxim Gorky corresponded with children all his life, carried out “social orders” for a fairy tale and supported children’s publishing projects: Shkola shalunov (“School of naughty”) (1909), Interesnye neznakomtsy (“Interesting strangers”) (Deti i voyna) (1919), Kem khotyat byt’ nashi deti (“Who our children want to be”) (1929), My zhivem v “Gigante” (“We live in ‘Gigante’”) (1930). In 1934, Gorky approved a unique literary project initiated by children — Baza Kurnosykh (“Snub-nosed base”). The article cites a previously unpublished letter from the children, which they sent to Gorky along with their book. The creativity of the literary circle, which was headed by the poet Ivan Molchanov-Sibirsky, received All-Union recognition. The authors were invited to the First Congress of Soviet Writers, personally communicated with Gorky. Impressions from a trip to Moscow made up the second book Baza Kurnosykh v Gostyakh u Gor’kogo (“The snub-nosed base visiting Gorky”) (1936). The article examines the evolution of Maxim Gorky’s attitude to children’s writing: from the early stage of enthusiasm for children’s creativity to the late skeptical view of children’s graphomania. Gorky critically evaluated the works of young authors, which glorified the USSR, and attached great importance to children’s books as a means of education.

Keywords: children’s literature, children’s collective creativity, Baza Kurnosykh, Maxim Gorky