Pierre Ronsard - About the Eternal. Selected lyrics

I was born on December 1st (old style), 1873, in Moscow. Paternal grandfather was a serf in the Kostroma province. My father was born (in 1848) also a serf. Later, my grandfather received "freedom" and went into trade, was a merchant and quite successfully. The father did not inherit these abilities; after the death of his grandfather, he was forced to quit trading and move to the class of the philistines. Maternal grandfather, A. Ya. Bakulin, was a Lebedyan tradesman; being self-taught, he became interested in literature, wrote and partly printed poetry (especially fables) and stories.

In the 1960s, my father, who had previously only learned to read and write from a deacon, succumbed to general movement and actively engaged in self-education; at one time he was a volunteer at the Petrovsky Academy. In those same years, my father became close to the circles of the then revolutionaries, whose ideas he remained faithful to the end of his life. By the way, in the 70s, my father was close to N. A. Morozov, the future Shlisselburger, whose image I remember from the days of my early childhood. Portraits of Chernyshevsky and Pisarev constantly hung over my father's table. I was brought up, so to speak, "from the cradle" in the principles of materialism and atheism.

I studied at first in private gymnasiums in Moscow (for those were the years, during the life of my grandfather, of the greatest prosperity of our family), then at Moscow University, the course of which Historical Branch He graduated from the Faculty of History and Philology in 1899. Among the professors, I recall with gratitude F. E. Korsh, with whom I remained familiar later. More knowledge, however, than at school, I gathered from independent reading. Having learned to read as early as 3 years old, I have been continuously devouring books ever since. Even before entering the gymnasium, I read great amount both purely literary and scientific; was especially interested natural sciences and astronomy. In the gymnasium, I was most fond of mathematical sciences, - an addiction that has survived with me to this day. At the university, he studied the history of philosophy a lot.

I also began to write very early, as a child, composing (still block letters) poems, stories and scientific, articles. For the first time, my lines (some article on sports issues) were printed back in the 80s; poems - in the early 90s. I began to publish my works more regularly after 1894, when the first small “collection of my poems” appeared. appeared with my name, there are (counting reissues) about 80 or even more (some did not make it into printed lists and I don't remember them). Among these books are collections of poems, collections of short stories, dramas, novels, Scientific research, collections of articles and a long series of translations in verse and prose.

I have written much more than what is collected in books. Since the late 1990s, I began to collaborate in various magazines and newspapers. For 25 years, I was a contributor to most of the time-based publications published during this period, including collections and almanacs. In these editions, I published countless articles, notes, reviews (with my signature, under pseudonyms and without a signature at all), which I considered completely superfluous to collect in books. There is also a considerable number of poems, stories and dramatic scenes, also not included in separate editions. Perhaps even more of what I wrote remains in manuscript. There are also completed large works (poems, novels, dramas), which I somehow did not bother to finish, and various scientific studies that have been waiting for their completion for many years and poems, according to different reasons not printed, and, of course, all kinds of beginnings and sketches, in verse and prose.

Many times I took part in editing various journals, either as a sole editor or as a department editor. I participated especially closely in the editorial board of Novyi Put', Libra, and Russkaya Mysl. My dramas and my translations dramatic works staged many times, in Moscow, Leningrad, in the provinces. In the 900s and 910s, I was a member of the majority of Moscow literary organizations. In some of them he held elective positions of chairman; I was especially close to the Moscow Literary and Art Circle and to the Society for Free Aesthetics. Many times I have acted as a lecturer with public lectures. I have seen most prominent people of my time, and with special love I recall the friendship that E. Verhaern honored me with.

My works aroused interest abroad. Many have been translated into most European languages and some non-European ones. As far as I know, separate editions of my works are available in German (many), French, English, Italian, Latvian, Armenian, Polish, etc.; in magazines - in Swedish, Dutch, a number of Slavic, modern Greek, Japanese, etc. Both of my novels, two collections of short stories and one drama are available in German as separate editions.

Several times I made trips to Western Europe and Russia. He has repeatedly been to France, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Holland, Spain; was on the Volga, in the Crimea and the Caucasus, where he traveled to Etchmiadzin. In the years imperialist war I was at the front as a correspondent for the Russkiye Vedomosti newspaper; one of the first I managed, with a friend, to drive to the liberated Przemysl. After the occupation of Warsaw by the Germans, I returned to Moscow, deeply disappointed by the war, which I expressed at the same time in a poem published in M. Gorky's Novaya Zhizn.

After the October Revolution, at the end of 1917, I began working with the Soviet government, which then entailed some persecution on the part of my former comrades (exclusions from members literary societies etc. etc.). Since that time, he worked mainly in different departments of the People's Commissariat for Education. He was the head of the Moscow Book Chamber, the Department of Scientific Libraries, the Department of Lito NKP, Okhobra (Department of Art Education), Glavprofobra, etc. He also worked in the State. Published, in the Photo-Cinema Department, at one time in the People's Commissariat of Agriculture, etc .; since 1912 I have been a professor at the 1st Moscow State University(earlier, in 1915-1917, he lectured at the former "free" Shanyavsky University). Since 1921 I have also been a rector (and professor) of the Higher Literary and Art Institute.

Poet, prose writer, playwright, translator, literary critic

He was born on December 1 (13), 1873 in Moscow, into a middle-class merchant family. The father of the future poet raised his son in the spirit of the progressive ideas of that time.

1893 - Bryusov graduated from high school and entered the Faculty of History and Philology of Moscow University.

1894-1895 - three collections of poems "Russian Symbolists" are published, which mainly contain poems by Bryusov himself (under various pseudonyms). The collections were perceived by critics as a literary curiosity, an inept imitation of the French decadents.

1895 - Bryusov publishes the book "Chefs d'Oeuvre" ("Masterpieces"). This collection was unanimously rejected by critics.

Bryusov spends the summer of 1896 in the Crimea and the Caucasus, in 1897. makes the first trip abroad (to Germany). September 28, 1897 Marries Ioanna Matveevna Runt (a governess in the Bryusov family), who later became his assistant in literary and organizational affairs, and after the death of Bryusov, the keeper of his archive and the publisher of his works.

1897 - The book "Me eum esse" ("This is me") is published.

1899 - after graduating from the university, Bryusov is completely given literary activity. For two years he has been working as editorial secretary of the Russian Archive magazine. After the organization of the publishing house "Scorpio", which began to produce " new literature"(works of modernists), Bryusov accepts Active participation in the organization of almanacs and the magazine "Scales" (1904 - 09), the best magazine of Russian symbolism.

1900 - the book "Tertia Vigilia" ("The Third Guard") is published, after which Bryusov receives wide recognition.

1902 - Bryusov visits Italy (Venice, Milan, Florence), where he studies the culture of the Renaissance, writes poetry on Italian themes.

1903 - The book "Urbi et Orbi" ("City and Peace") is published. Along with the traditional "anti-decadent" reviews, it also evokes sympathetic reviews. The "younger" symbolists - A. Bely, A. Blok - perceive it enthusiastically.

Bryusov's trips in the spring of 1905 to Finland, in the summer of 1906 to Sweden, in the summer of 1908 to Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, later to Germany, Switzerland, etc. are reflected in his poetic cycles of the 1900s.

1906 - the book "????????" ("Wreath").

1908 - the novel "The Fiery Angel" is published (the biographical subtext of which is the relationship with N.I. Petrovskaya and the related circumstances of a kind of ideological and psychological combat between Bryusov and A. Bely in 1904-05), later - "The Altar of Victory" ( 1913). Both novels are very successful.

1909 - collection "All tunes".

In the 1900-10s. Bryusov manifests himself as a versatile and exceptionally active translator from many languages, a virtuoso master of poetic technique and a variety of stylistic devices. In the area of his translation activities- poetry of modernists and their predecessors, classics of world poetry (Dante, Byron, Goethe, E. Verharn, P. Verlaine, E. Poe, O. Wilde, Moliere, Maeterlinck, etc.)

In the 1910s the scope of Bryusov's work as a historian and literary critic is expanding. He becomes the largest Pushkinist (in total, 82 works by Bryusov dedicated to A.S. Pushkin appeared in print), studies Pushkin’s poetics (Article “Pushkin’s Poetic Technique”, 1915), deals with his biography and textual criticism, publishes “ Short course science and verse”, 1919, 2nd edition entitled “Fundamentals of versification”, 1924.

1912 - book "Mirror of Shadows".

1914 - during the First World War, having gone to the front from one of the most widespread newspapers, Russkiye Vedomosti, Bryusov publishes big number correspondence and articles on military issues. By this time, sharply critical poems (“The two-headed eagle”, “Much can be sold ...”, etc.), which then remain unpublished, belong to this time. Soon Bryusov returns from the front.

1915 - on the advice of M. Gorky, representatives of the Moscow Armenian Committee turn to Bryusov with a request to organize and edit a collection of translations of Armenian poetry, covering more than one and a half thousand years of its history. In 1916, the collection "Poetry of Armenia" was published, most of the translations in which were performed by Bryusov. His role in the promotion of Armenian culture was not limited to this. He also publishes an extensive work "Chronicle historical destinies Armenian people”, is the author of a number of articles dedicated to the figures of Armenian culture. In 1923 he was awarded honorary title folk poet Armenia.

October revolution Bryusov perceives it as a grand revolution in the history of mankind and in 1920 enters into Communist Party. At this time, he is in charge of the Book Chamber, the department scientific libraries and the Literary Department at the People's Commissariat of Education, lectures at Moscow University on ancient and modern Russian literature, on the theory of verse and Latin, on the history of mathematics, conducts seminars on the history of ancient east and etc.

1921 - Bryusov creates and heads the Higher Literary and Art Institute, devotes a lot of time and effort pedagogical activity in him.

In 1920-1924 the poet publishes five collections (“Last Dreams”, “On Such Days”, “Mig”, “Dali”, “Mea”).

Main works:

Poems in the collections "Russian Symbolists" (issues 1-3, 1894-95)

Books of poetry:

"Chefs d'Oeuvre" ("Masterpieces", 1895)

"Me eum esse" ("This is I", 1896, on the cover of 1897)

"Tertia Vigilia" ("Third Watch", 1900)

Urbi et Orbi (To the City and the World, 1903)

"????????" ("Wreath"; 1906)

"All Melodies" (1909)

"Mirror of Shadows" (1912)

"Nellie's Poems" (1913)

"Seven Colors of the Rainbow" (1916)

"Experiments in metrics and rhythm, in euphony and consonance, in stanza and forms" (1918)

"Last Dreams" (1920)

"On Days Like These" (1921)

"Dali", "Krugozor", "Mig" (all - 1922)

"Mea!" ("Hurry!", 1924)

Historical novels:

"Fiery Angel" (1907-08)

Russian poet, prose writer, playwright and translator Valery Yakovlevich Bryusov was born on December 13 (December 1 according to the old style), 1873 in Moscow into a merchant family. , then studied at the gymnasiums of Franz Kreiman (1885-1889) and Lev Polivanov (1890-1893). In 1893, Bryusov entered the Faculty of History and Philology of Moscow University, from which he graduated in 1899.

Bryusov began to write early, as a child, writing poems and stories. Already at the age of 13 he was tying his future life with poetry. Bryusov's earliest known poetic experiments date back to 1881; a little later, his first stories appeared. In adolescence, Bryusov considered Nikolai Nekrasov his literary idol, then he was fascinated by the poetry of Semyon Nadson. By the beginning of the 1890s, the time had come for Bryusov's enthusiasm for the works of French Symbolists - Charles Baudelaire, Paul Verlaine, Stefan Mallarmé. Between 1894 and 1895 he published (under the pseudonym Valery Maslov) three collections of "Russian Symbolists", which included many of his own poems (including under various pseudonyms); most of them were written under the influence of the French Symbolists. In the third issue of "Russian Symbolists" Bryusov's one-line poem "Oh close your pale legs" was placed, which quickly gained fame, providing an ironic attitude to the collections from the public.

In 1895, Bryusov's first book of poems, Chefs d'œuvre ("Masterpieces"), was published, in 1897 - a collection of poems Me eum esse ("This is me") about the world of subjective decadent experiences, proclaiming egocentrism. In 1899, after graduating from the university, Bryusov decided to devote himself entirely to literary activity. For two years he worked as the secretary of the editorial board of the Russian Archive magazine. After the organization of the publishing house "Scorpion", which began to publish "new literature" (works of modernists), Bryusov took an active part in the organization of almanacs and the journal "Vesy" (1904-1909), which became the mouthpiece of Russian symbolism.

In 1900, Bryusov's book "The Third Guard" was published, after which the author was recognized as a great poet. In 1903, he published the book Urbi et Orbi (To the City and the World), and in 1906, the poetry collection Wreath.

book" earth axis"(1907) were the fantastic symbolic drama "Earth" and stories. Bryusov is the author of the novels "The Fiery Angel" (separate edition 1908), "The Altar of Victory. Tale of the 4th century" (1911-1912), stories and stories (included in the book "Nights and Days", 1913), stories "Rhea Sylvia" (separate edition 1916), "Dasha's Betrothal" (separate edition 1915), "Mozart" (1915).

At the turn of the first decade of the twentieth century, Bryusov's poetry became more chamber, new features of his lyrics appeared: intimacy, sincerity, simplicity in expressing thoughts and feelings (collection "All Melodies", 1909; book "Mirror of Shadows", 1912).

For the theater of Vera Komissarzhevskaya, Bryusov translated the plays "Pelléas et Mélisande" by Maurice Maeterlinck (1907; staged by Vsevolod Meyerhold) and "Francesca da Rimini" by Gabriele D'Annunzio (together with Vyacheslav Ivanov, 1908). He published the psychodrama The Wayfarer (1911), the tragedy Protesilaus the Dead (1913). He translated the dramaturgy of Emile Verhaarne ("Helena of Sparta", 1909), Oscar Wilde ("The Duchess of Padua", 1911), Molière ("Amphitrion", 1913), Romain Rolland ("Liliuli", 1922).

He was engaged in translations of Dante, Byron, Goethe, Maeterlinck. Translations of Emile Verhaern, Paul Verlaine, Edgar Allan Poe, Oscar Wilde, a collection of French lyrics XIX century, "The Great Rhetor. The Life and Works of Decimus Magnus Ausonius" (1911), "Erotopaegnia. Poems by Ovid, Pentadia, Ausonius, Claudian, Luxorius" (1917).

During the First World War, Bryusov was at the front as a correspondent for one of the St. Petersburg newspapers, wrote patriotic poems.

Valery Bryusov welcomed the October Revolution of 1917 and actively cooperated with the new government. In 1920 he joined the Communist Party.
In 1917-1919, he headed the Committee for the Registration of the Press (since 1918, a department of the Russian Book Chamber). He was the head of the Moscow Library Department at the Narkompros (1918-1919), chairman of the Presidium of the All-Russian Union of Poets (1919-1921), from 1919 he worked at the State Publishing House, from 1921 - the head of the literary sub-department of the Art Education Department at the Narkompros. In 1921 he organized the Higher Literary and Art Institute (later VLHI named after V. Ya. Bryusov) and until the end of his life he was its rector and professor.

Bryusov took an active part in the preparation of the first edition of the Great Soviet encyclopedia(He was the editor of the Department of Literature, Art and Linguistics; the first volume was published after Bryusov's death). In 1923, in connection with the fiftieth anniversary, Bryusov received a letter from the Soviet government, which noted the poet's numerous merits "to the whole country" and expressed "gratitude from the workers' and peasants' government."

In the 1920s (in the collections "Dali" (1922), "Mea" ("Hurry!", 1924), Bryusov radically updated his poetics, using a rhythm overloaded with accents, abundant alliteration, ragged syntax, neologisms, futuristic constructions of versification. late Bryusov, Mikhail Gasparov, who studied it in detail, called it "academic avant-gardism."

On October 9, 1924, Bryusov died in his Moscow apartment from lobar pneumonia. The poet was buried at the Novodevichy cemetery in the capital.

Valery Bryusov was married to Joanna Runt (they were married in 1897). She was the companion and closest assistant of the poet until his death. After the death of Bryusov, she became the keeper of his archive and the publisher of her husband's legacy.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from open sources.

Bryusov Valery Yakovlevich is a famous Russian poet, one of the founders of Russian symbolism, prose writer, playwright, literary critic, critic, translator. The Moscow merchant family, in which he was born on December 13 (December 1, O.S.), 1873, did not pay great attention raising a son. Most often, Valery was left to himself, so he had the opportunity to read everything that was at hand, starting scientific articles and ending with boulevard novels. The first poem was written by him at the age of 8, and the first publication of Bryusov took place in the magazine for children "Sincere Word" when the boy was 11 years old. Not particularly concerned with their son, the parents nevertheless provided him a good education. From 1885 to 1893 He studied at two private gymnasiums. As a 13-year-old teenager, Bryusov already realized that his life calling was connected with poetry.

In the early 90s. Bryusov became seriously interested in the French Symbolists, who, by his own admission, discovered new world, spurred on the creativity of another sample. In a letter written in 1893 to Verlaine, the young Bryusov positions himself as the founder of a new literary movement in Russia, and names its dissemination as his mission. Between 1893 and 1899 he was a student of the Faculty of History and Philology of Moscow University. During 1894-1895 he published three collections entitled "Russian Symbolists", most of the poems in which were written by himself. In 1895, his debut "personal" collection appeared - "Masterpieces", which caused fire with a pretentious title, which critics considered inappropriate to the content.

After graduating from the university in 1899, Bryusov got the opportunity to devote himself completely to creativity. The second half of the 90s is marked in his biography by a rapprochement with symbolist poets. In 1899, Bryusov was among the initiators and leaders of the new Scorpio publishing house, which rallied supporters of the movement around itself. In 1897, Bryusov married Ioanna Runt, who until the death of the poet was his faithful friend and assistant.

In 1900, the book "The Third Watch" was published, written in line with symbolism, which opened new stage in creative biography Bryusov. In 1901 to 1905, Bryusov was directly involved in the creation of the almanac "Northern Flowers", from 1904 to 1909 he was the editor of the main central printed organ of the Symbolists - the magazine "Scales". The significance of Bryusov's activities for Russian modernism and symbolism in particular is difficult to overestimate. Both the publication he headed and he himself were known as great literary authorities, Bryusov was called the master, the priest of culture.

Bryusov considered the apogee of his work to be the collection "Wreath", which was written in conditions revolutionary events 1905 In 1909, the output of "Balance" was stopped, and to next year there is a noticeable decrease in the activity of the movement of symbolism. Bryusov no longer positions himself as the leader of this trend, does not lead a literary struggle for the right to exist, his position becomes more balanced. Period 1910-1914 Literary critics call Bryusov's crisis both spiritual and creative. When did the first World War, in 1914 he was sent to the front as a war correspondent for Russkiye Vedomosti.

With the coming of the Bolsheviks to power, a new life and creative stage. V.Ya. Bryusov develops a vigorous activity, striving to be at the forefront everywhere. In 1917-1919. he was the head of the Committee for the Registration of the Press, in 1918-1919. - Head of the Moscow Library Department at the People's Commissariat for Education, in 1919-1921. he is the chairman of the Presidium of the All-Russian Union of Poets (the poet’s entry into the Bolshevik Party in 1919 contributed to his stay in this post). There were such episodes in his biography as work in the State Publishing House, head of the literary sub-department of art education at the People's Commissariat of Education, membership in the state academic council, professorship at Moscow State University. In 1921, Valery Yakovlevich became the organizer of the Higher Institute of Literature and Art, of which he was a professor and rector until the end of his life. Bryusov was the editor of the Department of Literature, Art and Linguistics in the team preparing the first edition of the Great Soviet Encyclopedia.

Remained active creative activity, yet his revolution-inspired creative experiments remained equally misunderstood by modernists and the general public. Nevertheless, on the occasion of his 50th birthday in 1923, the Soviet government presented the poet with a diploma for services to the country. Death overtook Bryusov on October 9, 1924. The cause was croupous pneumonia, probably aggravated by the writer's long years of addiction to drugs. He was buried at the Novodevichy cemetery.

Valery Yakovlevich Bryusov was born in 1873 into a merchant family. He received a good education and later, constantly reading and studying, became, perhaps, one of the most educated people of his generation.

In 1894, together with A. L. Miropolsky, he published the book Russian Symbolists. This and subsequent books became for a whole decade a favorite object of ridicule in the press. Bryusov's name became synonymous with the jester in literature, and although other symbolists (Balmont, Sologub, Gippius) were rather kindly received in literary journals, their doors were closed for Bryusov until 1905. Bryusov did not at all live up to such a reputation: he was not a jester at all , he was generally the most solemn and unbearably serious figure in all of Russian literature. But his early poetry was so different from what was usually published in Russian magazines that critics could not regard it otherwise than as an insulting hoax. In fact, Bryusov just imitated (quite childishly) French poets of his time.

For many years every new book Bryusov was greeted with indignation or ridicule. But Bryusov did not give up. His style is masculine. The number of his followers grew. By 1903 he had become the recognized head of a large and energetic literary school symbolists. By 1906 his school had won the battle; symbolism was recognized as Russian poetry, and Bryusov as the first poet of Russia. Those critics who scoffed at Bryusov's early work welcomed his collection Stephanos (Wreath), which appeared in 1906 on top revolutionary upsurge. The success of the book was perhaps the most significant date in the history of the movement of symbolism to a dominant position in contemporary Russian literature.

Valery Bryusov. Biography. Fire Angel. Video lesson

In 1900, Bryusov became de facto the head of the publishing house that united the forces of the new movement. In 1904 they began publishing a review Scales- without a doubt, the most cultural, the most European edition of its time, published before 1909. From 1900 to 1906. Bryusov was the head of a united and strong party on its way to success; after 1906 his position was further strengthened. But his talent began to decline. Compared to Stephanos compilation All tunes(1909) did not bring anything new, and subsequent collections turned out to be worse and worse.

Beginning in the nineties, Bryusov worked with amazing energy in the most various areas literature. Poems are only a small part of his literary activity: he successfully translated foreign poetry, wrote prose and plays, reviewed almost all published poetry collections, published classics, worked in the archives, preparing materials about the life of Pushkin, Tyutchev and others, read incredibly much, and all the time was the de facto editor of the magazine. Moreover, Bryusov was by no means an ascetic - his love lyrics based on rich life experience, and besides, he experienced the "artificial paradise" of opium and cocaine. But that never stopped him from working.

A remarkable example of Bryusov's ability to work is a collection of Armenian poetry compiled by him at the request of the committee of Armenian patriots. In 1915, the committee turned to Bryusov with a request to publish a selection of selected works by Armenian poets in Russian. In less than a year, Bryusov learned the Armenian language, read everything that could be obtained on this subject, made almost all the translations himself, and in 1916 published a huge volume. Poetry of Armenia. The book has become a remarkable monument to human efficiency and the best edition of such kind.

Bryusov was essentially apolitical. His attitude to politics was purely aesthetic. This is well expressed in his lines of 1905:

Beautiful in the power of formidable power
Eastern king Assargadon,
And the ocean of people's power,
In the wood chips crushing fragile throne!
But half measures are hated...

Until 1917, Bryusov did not participate in political life, but when the Bolsheviks came to power he became a communist. This was caused not by political convictions, on the contrary, by their absence, because it was precisely political and moral convictions that prevented the majority of civic-minded people from taking this step. Perhaps the reason is also that Bryusov no longer felt like a leader and hoped, having joined the most advanced political party, become advanced and modern again. In addition, the revolution of 1917 corresponded to his aesthetic ideal of the “ocean of people’s power,” and as a person who was distinguished not by bright, original talent, but much more by tireless work, he clearly sympathized with Lenin’s mechanical schemes.

At first, Bryusov received a sinecure from the Bolsheviks, then a more responsible post of head of the censorship committee, but he never managed to adapt to the orthodox communists, and he was replaced in this post by a more reliable party member (novelist Serafimovich). Bryusov failed to achieve recognition from the poets " left front", which he has been looking for since the emergence futurism. Last years Bryusov spent in solitude and suffered greatly from the fact that he was out of wide activity. His only consolation was to work with young proletarian poets, to whom he gave regular lessons. poetic skill. Bryusov died at the age of fifty-one, having survived the heyday of his fame for fifteen years.

Read more about his works in the articles Creativity of Bryusov - briefly and Bryusov's poems - analysis.

Valery Yakovlevich Bryusov - poet, prose writer, literary critic (13.12.1873 Moscow - 9.10. 1924 in the same place, suicide is possible). Valery Bryusov was born into a merchant family. From 1892 he studied history at Moscow University (graduating in 1899). Throughout his life, Valery Yakovlevich was also engaged in scientific and critical activity. For example, in 1903 he published Pushkin's letters in a collection entitled " Far and near(1912), published articles on Russian poets from Tyutchev to his contemporaries.

As a child, Valery Bryusov wrote poetry; in his student years, French poetry made a great impression on him, and he published three small collections " Russian Symbolists"(1894-95), where his own poems, inspired by the poetry of Baudelaire, Verlaine and Mallarmé, prevailed. The following collections of Bryusov are " Chefs d "oeuvre"(Masterpieces", 1895), " Me eum esse"("This is me", 1897), " Tertia vigilia"(Third Watch, 1900) and" Urbi et Orbi("To the City and the World", 1903), as can be seen from their titles and content, testify to the author's appeal to Western European classics, to his great interest, based on scientific study, in foreign and ancient cultures.

In 1904-09, Valery Bryusov directed the largest Symbolist magazine, Scales, and became a leading figure among the Moscow Symbolists. His fame was significantly promoted by the fifth collection of his poems " Stephanos"(" Wreath ", 1906). And in the future, Bryusov published many of his poems, translated from many languages, but also began to write prose. These were stories full of exotic and adventure, and historical novels "Fire Angel"(1908) and" Altar of Victory"(1911-12). Sixth collection of poems" All tunes(1909) shows further development his experiments in the field of rhyme and language expressiveness.

Valery Bryusov traveled a lot, often visited Western Europe. In 1913-14, the publication of his works in 25 volumes began. During the First World War, Valery Yakovlevich was engaged in publishing activities and translations from Armenian language. After the revolution, he joined the Bolshevik regime, in 1920 Bryusov (the only symbolist poet who did not emigrate) joined the CPSU (b) and held positions in cultural institutions. In 1921 he founded the Institute of Literature and Art, which was later named after him. Along with this, Valery Yakovlevich Bryusov continued his literary and literary criticism activities.

The work of this author is strongly characterized by cold rationality. The first collections of his poems were aimed at promoting symbolism in Russia. At the same time, it was primarily important for him not the worldview of the Symbolists, but new system aesthetic criteria. The problems of form, resolved by Bryusov with the greatest attention and diligence, determine his work. “The Russian language sounds with a taste of steel, in the manner of classical Latin” (Eliasberg). Being very an educated person, Valery Yakovlevich in his poetic work often refers to classical motifs, historical and mythological themes determine most his creativity, not limited by national and social boundaries. He is inspired by the heroic, looks at love rationally, even with a great deal of cruelty and sadism.

Under the influence of Verhaarn at the beginning of the century, Valery Bryusov turns to the topic big city, "pale horse"(1903-04) presents this topic in the light of apocalyptic visions. "He made a great contribution to Russian poetry as a pioneer of the transition in the strict metric of verse - from syllabo-tonic to tonic, developed further in particular by Blok" (Lewis).

The hero of Bryusov's early prose is a man who, in the face of hopeless loss, falls into boundless anarchism; This is perhaps most clearly reflected in the utopian story " Republic Southern Cross "(1905). Valery Yakovlevich's love for historical, in particular, for ancient subjects, was reflected in his later prose, which can be compared with the prose of D. Merezhkovsky. " Fire Angel"shows Germany in the 16th century, the novel, in addition to autobiographical features, reflected the author's thorough studies occult sciences. The action of the novel Altar of Victory"refers to Rome of the 4th century, and here Bryusov's interest in religious problems is evident. Both of these works are characterized by cultural and historical accuracy and the ability to choose a perspective. The continuation of the novel" The Altar of Victory "was a novel about the final Christianization of Rome" Jupiter defeated", but it remained unfinished and was published only in 1934.

The main period of Bryusov's work is before the First World War. After Valery Yakovlevich, with his rational-scientific outlook, came to cooperate with the new regime, he did more organizational activities. All the poems still written by Bryusov between 1917-24, according to Soviet émigré and Western critics, testify to a decrease in his poetic level.