The Image of Ivan Bunin in the Correspondences of Aleksandr Amfiteatrov with the Russian Émigré Writers in Paris (Mark Aldanov, Boris Zaitsev, Teffi, Ivan Shmelev)

About the author:

Elda Garetto, DSc in Philology, Professor, University of Milan, Рiazza S. Alessandro 1, 20123 Milano, Italia.

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5856-2191

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Abstract:

This paper gives an overview of the several references to Ivan Bunin found in Alexander Amfiteatrov’s letters, which are kept in the writer’s archive and have been published only in fragments. The article considers Amfiteatrov’s correspondence with prominent writers of “Russian Paris”, such as Mark Aldanov, Boris Zaitsev, Teffi and Ivan Schmelev. During the 1920–1930s they often wrote to Amfiteatrov about the Russian literary environment in Paris, their common friends and, especially, Ivan Bunin. The aim of the paper is to illustrate the dominant features of a multifaceted, polyphonic epistolary portrait of Bunin, composed of multiple fragments. It also emphasizes the peculiar characteristics of Bunin’s image, specific for each correspondent, by looking at the individual and sometimes contradictory approach of each writer to Bunin’s art and personality. The overview follows both chronological and thematic approach. It also shows that almost all references to Bunin mention his Nobel Prize, highlighting different aspects and reactions connected to this important award.