ABOUT ONE OLD PRIZE FOR A BOOK FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Abstract

The article is devoted to a competition announced in 1776 in Brescia for the best short stories of a moral and educational nature, intended for teenagers from 8 to 14 years old. Using this competition as an example, the process of formation of a model for the functioning of children’s literature, which was subsequently established and, in general, is still in effect, is considered. In the person of the founder of the prize, Count Carlo Bettoni (1725–1786), the society, which realized the need to create a special kind of literature for the moral and social education of young people, focused on the psychological characteristics and aesthetic needs of the young reader, encourages writers to such activities. Critics (in this case, a group of professors from the University of Padua) act as experts who evaluate the works of writers. The article examines the short stories of Francesco Soave (1743–1806), submitted to the competition and recognized as the best essay, traces his pedagogical and creative path, and reveals the innovation of his work addressed to children. The approach to creating texts for children by Soave’s main rival, Girolamo Padovani (1733–1803), who took a more conservative position in relation to children’s literature, is briefly characterized. The appendix contains short stories by Francesco Soave translated by the author of the article; these texts are published in Russian for the first time.

Keywords: Italian children’s literature of the XVIII century, moral prose for children, short story, Francesco Soave, Girolamo Padovani, children’s book contest