“You Have a Lot of Soul, This Is the Main Thing for Creativity.” The Correspondence between Ivan Shmelyov and Leonid Zurov (1928–1929)

Abstract

For the first time the article introduces а correspondence between the writers of the Russian Diaspora Ivan Shmelyov and Leonid Zurov into a scientific circulation. Shmelyov’s letters contain some characteristics of the first books of the young writer and his artistic talent as well as outlines the prospects for a further creative path. Shmelyov turns his attention mainly to the inner world and personality of the writer. He advises Zurov to engage in self-education, get acquainted with Russian and European philosophy, develop his artistic word. The letters allow to see Shmelyov’s active care, which revealed in his initiative for publishing Zurov’s works in Paris periodicals, promoting the positive critics responses (reviews by V. Amphiteatrov and K. Zaitsev), and supporting Zurov’s decision to move from Riga to France. Some letters concern the episode with removing of the Zurov’s short story from the newspaper “Russkiy Invalid.” Sincere and warm Zurov’s letters reveal the details of his life in Riga. They also talk about his travelling around Latgale, which served as a source of his creative inspiration. The published correspondence, thus, introduces new nuances in the biographies of two bright creative personalities of the Russian emigration.