April 1, 2024 marks the 215th anniversary of the birth of the most mystical classics of Russian literature, writer, playwright, essayist and literary critic – Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol.
Even now, little is known about his life and creative journey, despite many attempts to uncover them. Nonetheless, his works still draw in readers, as shown by the rising number of reprints and adaptations.
The future genius was born in Velyki Sorochyntsi in Poltava province into a family of low Russian nobility of Gogol-Yanovsky, and he was named in honour of Nicholas the Wonderworker.
His comedy "The Government Inspector", the novel "Dead Souls", the story "Taras Bulba“, the collection "Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka," novels "The Nose", "The Enchanted Place", "Portrait" and other works are gems of world literature. During his life, Gogol wrote about 30 works, many of which have been screened. In 2019 series "Gogol" in the detective-adventure genre was released. Thanks to watching this, many reread his works, looking for characters from the film.
Gogol's works have been translated into dozens of languages. He was closely connected with the European literary scene. For almost a decade, he lived and worked in Hamburg, Aachen, Frankfurt, Geneva, Lausanne, Paris. Rome, in particular, was the city Gog ol cherished with all his heart. His work had a profound influence on many Western writers, including Franz Kafka.
The writer died at the age of 42, in the prime of life. His death is as mysterious as his life. Nikolai Gogol remains one of the most important and influential writers in the history of Russian and world literature.
Nikolai Gogol's works can be found in the library of the European Slavic Literature and Culture Foundation.
Translation: Simona Nagyová