The problem of identity of Russian refugees in Paris in the 20s: on the example of Irina Knorring's poetic art

Abstract

The author argues that the literature of the first wave Russian diaspora does not lose the
interest of researchers. Traditionally, the first wave of emigration was considered as the only
true bearer of historical memory of Russia and Russian culture. For Russian refugees, forced
emigrants of the older generation of the first wave of emigration, the most important goal
and special mission was the preservation of Russian culture, traditions, Orthodox faith as the mental basis of the Russian. Today, one of the central problems
of study is the process of updating issues related to identity,
which modern Russian and French researchers write about.
Russian zarubezhje (emigration) is considered not as an attempt
to survive in new social and cultural conditions, but as an
implementation of various ways to preserve national identity. The
author establishes her research basically on the memoirs of the
Russian diaspora representatives; this literature refl ects not only
everyday life, but also the thoughts and feelings of their authors,
which is especially important. Particular attention is drawn to
the representatives of the younger generation who left Russia
in childhood and adolescence, found themselves in all respects
in difficult circumstances and at the same time have preserved
their national identity. Irina Knorring (1906–1943), a poet, who
has been living in France (in Paris) since 1925, belonged to this
generation. The article examines the first period of her work
with special attention to the refl ection of her worldview in that
time. Knorring’s diary entries represent both the atmosphere of
the literary life of young emigrant poets and the search for the
creative manner of Knorring herself. On the example of the life
and work of Knorring and using linguostylistic and structuralsemantic analysis, the article compares the topics, images and
symbols in the poetry of the fi rst wave Russian emigrants, which
testify on the preservation of the national identity of the younger
generation, who considered themselves not exiles, but messengers
of Russian culture.

Keywords:

emigration of the fi rst wave, literature of the younger generation, Irina Knorring’s poetry, preservation of national identity, creative identity