Viktor Bilibin
Viktor Bilibin | |
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| Born | Виктор Викторович Билибин 2 February 1859 |
| Died | 25 June 1908 (aged 49) Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire |
| Occupation(s) | journalist, playwright, humourist, editor |
Viktor Viktorovich Bilibin (Russian: Виктор Викторович Билибин, 2 February 1859, Saint Petersburg, Imperial Russia, — 25 June 1908, Saint Petersburg) was a Russian writer and playwright, one of the leading Russian humourists and satirists of the late 19th century, who used the pen name I. Grek (И. Грэк). His best-known stories were collected in the books Love and Laughter (Любовь и смех, 1882), Humour and Fantasy (Юмор и фантазия, 1897) and Humorous Patterns (Юмористические узоры, 1898).[1] After Nikolai Leykin's death he became the editor-in-chief of Oskolki (1906—1908).[2]
Bilibin was a friend of Anton Chekhov, whom he corresponded with for 15 years (since 1885). The two co-authored at least one humorous sketch "Motley Fairytales" (Пёстрые сказки, Novaya Gazeta, 1886), signed The Two Ajaxes (Два Аякса).[2] Chekhov admired Bilibin's sketches, referred to him as 'great talent'[3] and cited him as an early influence.[1]
Bilibin authored several humorous plays; they were produced by Alexandrinsky Theatre, as well as numerous provincial troupes, but failed to impress the critics. Alexander Amfiteatrov commented: "This man had been created for subtle, intelligent irony but in the long run chose to serve the primitive, guttural laughter. And he lost his gift of a humorist."[4][2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Katayev, V.B. Chekhov and His Literary Friends // Чехов и его литературное окружение. Изд-во Моск. ун-та, 1982.
- ^ a b c Bilibin's biography at the Russian Writers. Biobibliographical Dictionary // Русские писатели. Биобиблиографический словарь. Т. 1. А—Л. — Под редакцией П. А. Николаева. — М.: «Просвещение», 1990
- ^ Shatalov, S. E. Antosha Chekhonte and Viktor Bilibin // Шаталов С. Е. Два таланта (Антоша Чехонте и Виктор Билибин)] // Чехов и его время. — Чехов и его время. М.: Наука, 1977. С. 20 – 38.
- ^ The Triznas by A. Amfiteatrov // Амфитеатров А. Тризны.-- С. 152
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