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Evgeny Lvovich Schwartz (russian: Евге́ний Льво́вич Шва́рц; ,
Kazan Kazan ( ; rus, Казань, p=kɐˈzanʲ; tt-Cyrl, Казан, ''Qazan'', IPA: ɑzan is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Tatarstan in Russia. The city lies at the confluence of the Volga and the Kazanka rivers, covering a ...
,
Russian Empire The Russian Empire was an empire and the final period of the Russian monarchy from 1721 to 1917, ruling across large parts of Eurasia. It succeeded the Tsardom of Russia following the Treaty of Nystad, which ended the Great Northern War. ...
– January 15, 1958,
Leningrad Saint Petersburg ( rus, links=no, Санкт-Петербург, a=Ru-Sankt Peterburg Leningrad Petrograd Piter.ogg, r=Sankt-Peterburg, p=ˈsankt pʲɪtʲɪrˈburk), formerly known as Petrograd (1914–1924) and later Leningrad (1924–1991), i ...
,
Soviet Union The Soviet Union,. officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR),. was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. A flagship communist state, it was nominally a federal union of fifteen national ...
) was a Soviet writer and playwright, whose works include twenty-five plays, and screenplays for three films (in collaboration with
Nikolai Erdman Nikolai Robertovich Erdman ( rus, Николай Робертович Эрдман, p=nʲɪkɐˈlaj ˈrobʲɪrtəvʲɪtɕ ˈɛrdmən, a=Nikolay Robyertovich Erdman.ru.vorb.oga; , Moscow – 10 August 1970) was a Soviet dramatist and screenwriter ...
).


Life


Early life

Evgeny Schwartz was born in
Kazan Kazan ( ; rus, Казань, p=kɐˈzanʲ; tt-Cyrl, Казан, ''Qazan'', IPA: ɑzan is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Tatarstan in Russia. The city lies at the confluence of the Volga and the Kazanka rivers, covering a ...
, Russia, into a physician's family. His father was
baptized Baptism (from grc-x-koine, βάπτισμα, váptisma) is a form of ritual purification—a characteristic of many religions throughout time and geography. In Christianity, it is a Christian sacrament of initiation and adoption, almost ...
and was of Jewish origin and his mother Russian. In 1910 he studied law at
Moscow University M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU; russian: Московский государственный университет имени М. В. Ломоносова) is a public research university in Moscow, Russia and the most prestigious ...
, where he also became involved in theater and poetry. He was drafted into the army at the end of 1916 to serve on the front. After the
Bolshevik Revolution The October Revolution,. officially known as the Great October Socialist Revolution. in the Soviet Union, also known as the Bolshevik Revolution, was a revolution in Russia led by the Bolsheviks, Bolshevik Party of Vladimir Lenin that was ...
he joined the
Whites White is a racialized classification of people and a skin color specifier, generally used for people of European origin, although the definition can vary depending on context, nationality, and point of view. Description of populations as " ...
and served under general Kornilov. He suffered injuries and shell-shock during the storming of
Yekaterinodar Krasnodar (; rus, Краснода́р, p=krəsnɐˈdar; ady, Краснодар), formerly Yekaterinodar (until 1920), is the largest city and the administrative centre of Krasnodar Krai, Russia. The city stands on the Kuban River in southern ...
in 1918, lost several teeth and acquired a tremor of the hands that plagued him for the rest of his life. After the end of Russian Civil War, Schwartz studied theater in
Rostov-on-Don Rostov-on-Don ( rus, Ростов-на-Дону, r=Rostov-na-Donu, p=rɐˈstof nə dɐˈnu) is a port city and the administrative centre of Rostov Oblast and the Southern Federal District of Russia. It lies in the southeastern part of the East Eu ...
. In 1921 he moved with the theater troupe to
Petrograd Saint Petersburg ( rus, links=no, Санкт-Петербург, a=Ru-Sankt Peterburg Leningrad Petrograd Piter.ogg, r=Sankt-Peterburg, p=ˈsankt pʲɪtʲɪrˈburk), formerly known as Petrograd (1914–1924) and later Leningrad (1924–1991), i ...
, becoming involved with the "
Serapion Brothers The Serapion Brothers (or Serapion Fraternity, russian: Серапионовы Братья) was a group of writers formed in Petrograd, Russian SFSR in 1921. The group was named after a literary group, ''Die Serapionsbrüder'' (The Serapion Brethr ...
," a literary group including
Ivanov Ivanov, Ivanoff or Ivanow (masculine, bg, Иванов, russian: ИвановSometimes the stress is on Ива́нов in Bulgarian if it is a middle name, or in Russian as a rare variant of pronunciation), or Ivanova (feminine, bg, Иванов ...
, Zoshchenko and Kaverin. In 1923 he moved to
Bakhmut Bakhmut ( uk, Ба́хмут, ) is a city in the Donbas and the administrative centre of Bakhmut Raion in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. It is located on the Bakhmutka River, about 89 km north of Donetsk city, the administrative center of the o ...
and began to publish satirical verse and reviews in the local newspaper. With
Mikhail Slonimsky Mikhail Leonidovich Slonimsky (russian: Михаи́л Леони́дович Слони́мский; – 8 October 1972) was a Soviet writer, member of the Serapion Brothers group. Mikhail was born in Saint Petersburg to the family of Intellig ...
and Nikolay Oleynikov, he organized the literary magazine ''Slaughter'' in 1925.


Career

In 1924, Schwartz returned to Leningrad to become an employee of
Gosizdat State Publishing House of the RSFSR (Russian: Госуда́рственное изда́тельство РСФСР), also known as Gosizdat (Госиздат), was the State Publishing House founded in the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Repu ...
, Children's Department of State Publishing House, under the administration of
Samuil Marshak Samuil Yakovlevich Marshak (alternative spelling: Marchak) (russian: link=no, Самуил Яковлевич Маршак; 4 July 1964) was a Russian and Soviet writer of Jewish origin, translator and poet who wrote for both children and adults. ...
. He became an author of the children's magazines ''Hedgehog'' and ''Siskin''. He also wrote children's books, including ''The Story of Old Balalaika'' (1924), ''The Adventures of Shura and Marousi'' (1937), ''Alien Girl'' (1937) and ''First Grader'' (1949). During this time, he also became associated with members of the avant-garde literary group OBERIU. In 1929 Evgeny Schwartz began collaborating with
Nikolay Akimov Nikolay Pavlovich Akimov (russian: Никола́й Па́влович Аки́мов; – 6 September 1968) was an experimental theatre director and scenic designer noted for his work with the Leningrad Comedy Theatre. His most notorious product ...
at the Leningrad Comedy Theater, writing contemporary plays based on the folk and fairy tales of
Hans Christian Andersen Hans Christian Andersen ( , ; 2 April 1805 – 4 August 1875) was a Danish author. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, he is best remembered for his literary fairy tales. Andersen's fairy tales, consisti ...
. These included ''Golyi korol'' (''The Emperor's New Clothes'') (1934), ''Krasnaya Shapochka'' (''Little Red Riding Hood'') (1936), ''Zolushka'' (''Cinderella'') (1938), ''Snezhnaya Koroleva'' (''The Snow Queen'', after
Hans Christian Andersen Hans Christian Andersen ( , ; 2 April 1805 – 4 August 1875) was a Danish author. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, he is best remembered for his literary fairy tales. Andersen's fairy tales, consisti ...
) (1938), ''Tyen'' (''The Shadow'', after Hans Christian Andersen) (1940), ''Drakon'' (''The Dragon'', an original) (1944), and ''Obyknovennoye Chudo'' (''An Ordinary Miracle'') (1956). At the beginning of World War II, Schwartz wrote ''Under the Linden Trees of Berlin'' (1941) with Zoschenko. During the war, he wrote ''One Night'' and ''The Far Country''. After the war, Schwartz wrote ''An Ordinary Miracle'' and ''The Tale of the Brave Soldiers''. Schwartz's adaptations of ''
The Snow Queen "The Snow Queen" ( da, Snedronningen) is an original fairy tale by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. It was first published 21 December 1844 in '' New Fairy Tales. First Volume. Second Collection'' (''Nye Eventyr. Første Bind. Anden Samli ...
'' and ''The Shadow'' were adapted as movies in 1966 and 1971. He also completed film scripts for ''
Cinderella "Cinderella",; french: link=no, Cendrillon; german: link=no, Aschenputtel) or "The Little Glass Slipper", is a folk tale with thousands of variants throughout the world.Dundes, Alan. Cinderella, a Casebook. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsi ...
'', ''First Grader'', ''Don Quixote'' and ''Ordinary Miracle''. He died in Leningrad.


Plays


''The Dragon''

In 1944, Schwartz completed the satirical play ''The Dragon'', which was seen as subversive in the political climate of post-war Russia. The play tells the story of the knight
Lancelot Lancelot du Lac (French for Lancelot of the Lake), also written as Launcelot and other variants (such as early German ''Lanzelet'', early French ''Lanselos'', early Welsh ''Lanslod Lak'', Italian ''Lancillotto'', Spanish ''Lanzarote del Lago' ...
, who sets out to slay the dragon. However, in his quest, he stumbles on a community governed by a bureaucratic hierarchy using the dragon to cover their own use of power. A filmed version, '' To Kill a Dragon'', was produced in 1988. This play, the most "mature" of Schwartz's plays, is a political satire aimed at
totalitarianism Totalitarianism is a form of government and a political system that prohibits all opposition parties, outlaws individual and group opposition to the state and its claims, and exercises an extremely high if not complete degree of control and reg ...
in all forms. The plot is based on the attempt of the hero, Lancelot, to liberate people in a land suffering under Dragon's brutal rule. But his efforts meet with resistance, since most of the people have gotten used to the Dragon and considered his methods, though harsh, the only possible way; their souls become, in a way, crippled with this inability and unwillingness to resist. Says the Dragon in the play: "You see, the human soul is very resilient. Cut the body in half — and the man croaks. But tear the soul apart — and it only becomes more pliable, that's all. No, really, you couldn't pick a finer assortment of souls anywhere. Only in my town. Souls with no hands. Souls with no legs. Mute souls, deaf souls, chained souls, snitch souls, damned souls." Lancelot killing the Dragon in a fight did not free the people; all that changed was the Burgomaster acceding to the position formerly occupied by the Dragon and demanding that Elsa, the same girl who was destined to be sacrificed to the Dragon, become his wife. When Lancelot returns to the town a year later, he realizes that his task is much more complex: "This is going to be a very meticulous job... We have to kill the dragon in each one of them."


''An Ordinary Miracle''

This is a romantic and philosophical parable on love and relationship between the creator and his creation. This play was made into films in
1964 Events January * January 1 – The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland is dissolved. * January 5 - In the first meeting between leaders of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches since the fifteenth century, Pope Paul VI and Patriarch ...
and in
1978 Events January * January 1 – Air India Flight 855, a Boeing 747 passenger jet, crashes off the coast of Bombay, killing 213. * January 5 – Bülent Ecevit, of Republican People's Party, CHP, forms the new government of Turkey (42nd go ...
.


Filmography


Written by Schwartz

* ''
Doctor Aybolit Doctor Aybolit (russian: Доктор Айболит, ''Doktor Aibolit'') is a fictional character from the children's poems ''Aybolit'' (1929) and ''Barmaley'' (1925) by Korney Chukovsky, as well as from the children's fantastic novella ''Doctor A ...
'' (1938) * ''
A Winter Tale ''A Winter Tale'' is a 2007 Canadian drama film written, directed and produced by Frances-Anne Solomon, featuring Canadian actor Peter Williams and Caribbean stars Leonie Forbes and Dennis " Sprangalang" Hall. It premiered at the ReelWorld Fil ...
'' (animated, 1945) * ''
Cinderella "Cinderella",; french: link=no, Cendrillon; german: link=no, Aschenputtel) or "The Little Glass Slipper", is a folk tale with thousands of variants throughout the world.Dundes, Alan. Cinderella, a Casebook. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsi ...
'' (1947) * ''
First-Year Student ''First-Year Student'' (russian: Первоклассница) is a 1948 Soviet film directed by Ilya Frez. Plot The film tells about a girl named Marusya Orlova, who went to school. A teacher and new friends will help her to become a discipline ...
'' (1948) * ''
Don Quixote is a Spanish epic novel by Miguel de Cervantes. Originally published in two parts, in 1605 and 1615, its full title is ''The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha'' or, in Spanish, (changing in Part 2 to ). A founding work of Wester ...
'' (1957) * ''
The Magic Weaver ''The Magic Weaver'' (russian: Марья-искусница, Maria-iskusnitsa, "Maria the Weaver") is a 1960 Soviet children's live-action fantasy film directed by Aleksandr Rou and filmed at Gorky Film Studio. It was additionally released in Hung ...
'' (1960)


Based on Schwartz's works

* ''
Cain XVIII ''Cain XVIII'' (russian: Каин XVIII) is a 1963 film from the Soviet Union, adapted from Evgeny Shvarts' play, ''Two friends''. The Soviet film industry reported that 21.7 million spectators saw the film. Plot A famous inventor ("The Profe ...
'' (1963) * '' An Ordinary Miracle'' (1964) * ''
Tale About the Lost Time ''Tale about the Lost Time'' (russian: Сказка о потерянном времени, Skazka o poteryannom vremeni) is a 1964 Soviet fantasy film directed by Aleksandr Ptushko. It is based on a tale by Evgeny Schwartz. Plot The protagonist, ...
'' (1964) * ''
The Snow Queen "The Snow Queen" ( da, Snedronningen) is an original fairy tale by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. It was first published 21 December 1844 in '' New Fairy Tales. First Volume. Second Collection'' (''Nye Eventyr. Første Bind. Anden Samli ...
'' (1967) * ''
The Shadow The Shadow is a fictional character created by magazine publishers Street & Smith and writer Walter B. Gibson. Originally created to be a mysterious radio show narrator, and developed into a distinct literary character in 1931 by writer Walter ...
'' (1971) * '' An Ordinary Miracle'' (1978) * ''
Tale About the Lost Time ''Tale about the Lost Time'' (russian: Сказка о потерянном времени, Skazka o poteryannom vremeni) is a 1964 Soviet fantasy film directed by Aleksandr Ptushko. It is based on a tale by Evgeny Schwartz. Plot The protagonist, ...
'' (animated, 1978) * '' Die verzauberten Brüder'' (TV, 1978) * '' To Kill a Dragon'' (1989) * '' The Shadow, or, Maybe It's All Right'' (1991) * "The Two Brothers", an episode of ''
Animated Tales of the World ''Animated Tales of the World'' is a 2001 animated series that aired on HBO and S4C. It was produced by Children's Television Trust International and Christmas Films for S4C and Channel 4. The series is an anthology serie adapting a unique st ...
'' (animated, 2001) * ''
A New Year Adventure of Two Brothers A, or a, is the first letter and the first vowel of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''a'' (pronounced ), plural ''aes' ...
'' (animated, 2004)


Famous quotations

From ''The Emperor's New Clothes'': :Lady of the Court: "Yesterday I was so anxious, my husband fainted." From ''The Dragon'': :Heinrich: "It's not my fault, I was taught that way." :Lancelot: "Everyone was, but why did you have to be first in class?" From ''Cinderella'': :Cinderella: "It's bad for your health not to go to the ball when you deserve it." From ''Cinderella'': :Young Page: "I'm not a wizard yet, I am only a pupil." From ''The Snow Queen'': :Chieftainess of the highwaymen gang: "Children ought to be spoiled. Only then do they grow up into true bandits." From ''The Ordinary Miracle'' :King: "Why? Why? Because I'm a foolish despot, that's why!"


References


External links

* Rea
''The Dragon''
*
Biography
*
''The Dragon'' by Contemporary Art Theater, Minsk, 2021
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Shvarts, Evgeny 1896 births 1958 deaths Writers from Kazan Moscow State University alumni Recipients of the Order of the Red Banner of Labour Male screenwriters Eastern Orthodox Christians from Russia Russian people of Jewish descent Russian children's writers Russian male dramatists and playwrights Russian male novelists Russian satirists Soviet children's writers Soviet dramatists and playwrights Soviet male poets Soviet novelists Soviet screenwriters Burials at Bogoslovskoe Cemetery