The Government Inspector Or Just Revizor

Interview by Larissa Velgovolskaya, the Chief-Editor of the Russian language magazine “Samovar”, with Vladimir Shatsev, Language and Drama Teacher of the Russian House Community Centre.
(Samovar, N%27, November 22, 2006)

Larissa Velgovolskaya: My literature teacher’s name was Anna Nikolaevna Lukoshko. In the sixth grade, I decided to become a writer, journalist or, in extreme circumstances, a translator. We said goodbye after the 10th grade, never met afterwards, but her bright, captivating lessons still indeed arise in my imagination. And you, dear readers, do you remember your literature teacher?
Today's guest Vladimir Shatsev is convinced: if the teacher is talented, his or her lessons will remain with you for all of your life, love of reading will never vanish, and in the conditions of emigration you will inspire that to those children who live far from their native land, and who do not forget about their roots, language and cultural heritage.
Vladimir Shatsev - graduated from the Pedagogical Institute named after Herzen, the author of the novel "Confessions Of The Cat In Boots". This book was known to a narrow circle of experts among which, however, were both Volodin, and Metter. Vladimir had taught literature at the Leningrad schools, worked as a literary editor at the children's theatre. Then, before his departure to Canada he had returned to teach literature and theatrical art at the specialized school in the Academy of Sciences organized by the Nobel Prize-winning, academician J. Alferov.

Larissa Velgovolskaya: Not so long ago our magazine, at the request of the Russian House advertised that you, Vladimir, would be giving lectures on Russian literature of the 19th and 20th centuries for an English-speaking public. Are our Goncharov, Gogol or Voinovich really interesting for Canadians?

Vladimir Shatsev: Forget about your irony. Russian literature is not so localized as it would seem at first glance. Anyway, my proposal was interesting for the management of an "Indigo-Chapters" bookstore.

LV: And how did it all begin?

VS: From an idea. I had just arrived in Canada and was looking for ways and means to apply my knowledge. I sent letters to schools, drama schools, which were dedicated to Russian children, and tried to talk about myself and my plans. Alas, in responses I heard only dry "Send your resume". One day I came across the Basic Philosophy Discussion Group. The group consisted of philosophers for whom I, in my opinion, was the first Russian person with whom they had had contact. For them I also prepared my first presentation of Russian literature. I sent through the Internet translations of stories by Chekhov, and then we met in a cafe and had a fascinating discussion. It was great! Such typical Anglo-Saxon Canadians, and I among them - talking about the intricacies and stylistic features of Anton Pavlovich! One of our philosophers, my friend William (a tremendous person!), under my direction now reads Iskander, Ilf and Petrov, Saltykov-Shchedrin. And one of his favourite books was always "Oblomov", can you imagine?!

LV: Hardly. Moreover, I simply do not believe that today someone – especially, in Canada – reads Saltykov-Shchedrin!

VS: And what’s more, William called a "Chapters" bookstore and said: «A person has arrived, who is an expert in literature, can’t we help him?». After that they began to talk with me. Mister Randall Withell, one of the managers of Chapters, quickly became my adherent. He is a very interesting and creative person, expert on the books. Now he is writing a novel about the First World War, and he has read a lot of Russian literature. But about the existence of the Russian House Community Centre – the Russian House – I was prompted by my Russian Canadian friends. I sent them a letter by e-mail and already after a couple of hours I received a reply: "Come to us!". We spoke for four hours, and Yuri Konev, the Chairman of the Russian House, was actively involved in our project. We began to reflect and to discuss how it would be better to organize and conduct a series of lectures, based on the translations of Russian classics that can be offered by "Chapters". Conversations began in February, and lectures – in October.

LV: As far as I know, all the Russian classics have been translated into English. Did you recommend to your listeners any specific translations?

VS: Today in the field of translation from Russian the successful names are widely known. I think that the duet of translators Richard Pevear and Larisa Volokhonsky are an interesting enough. Now they are working on a translation of "War and Peace". They translated "The Master and Margarita", and Gogol in their translation does not irritate at all. The best known translator is Constance Garnett. She translated Chekhov, Dostoevsky, and Tolstoy. By the way, I have an experience that I am extremely proud of: twice I was with my students in England at the International Harwich Festival. One of the performances which we had, was called "The Government Inspector", or easier to say, "Revizor". We had three translations of this play with us – each was worse than the other. That's why we improved the text and the roles by our means and with the help of my English friends who became our volunteer advisers.

LV: I wonder how the British public reacted to Gogol's Hlestakov?

VS: Adult members of the audience understood it correctly, but the children were unable to comprehend in any way why it was necessary to be afraid of the government official.

LV: It is considered that Russian humour is absolutely incomprehensible to foreigners. Among the writers that you included in the Canadian series of lectures were Voinovich and Dovlatov... Their works are literally saturated with thin unclear humour.

VS: Dovlatov himself was surprised at the fact that his works had been translated into other languages. Fortunately, it happens sometimes. Look, my friend William has translated from Dovlatov:

- What is your phone number?
- I do not remember.
- Well, even approximately...
Listeners were excited.

LV: And who from the classics were more familiar to the Canadian bibliophiles?

VS: All listeners, of course, had heard about Tolstoy, Dostoevsky and Gogol. With regards to Grossman, Voinovich and Dovlatov, they had no idea about these writers. That’s why I was interested in presenting them. Listeners had heard some noise about Nabokov, nothing more. By the same token, I wished to present this writer not only as the author of "Lolita", but also as the creator of "The Gift", "Glory", "Invitation to a Beheading".

LV: You arrived from Russia not so long ago. Tell me, are classics of the 19th century still read there?

VS: It depends on the family and the teacher of literature. In fact the genuine teachers were always, even though... they have always been rare.

LV: In your opinion, what happens to children who have grown up in emigrant families, to children who think in English, and see dreams completely not in Russian?

VS: Language is such a precious gift! It is easy to lose it; it is difficult to acquire it. Of course, it is a real deed to read today "War and Peace" in Russian for those who have grown up far away from the motherland. But to know about the literature – this is imperative. It is for this purpose that I give lectures on literature to children in the Russian House.

LV: There is no doubt that the children are very lucky. But for some reasons it seems to me, that adults would not have refused a discussion on Voinovich’s, Babel’s or Bulgakov's themes. But, it would be desirable, in Russian. As for me, for example, "Revizor" is somehow closer than "The Government Inspector".

Translation from Russian:
William Balagus
Olga Goubar

Progress Report

At the moment William is re-reading Oblomov after a period of some 25 years. It is Steven Pearl’s translation of 2006. He is finding it both interesting and boring at the same time.
“I am waiting for the disappearance of the love story, and the return of Oblomov’s shenanigans. Also I am waiting for the reappearance of Terentiev and his devious Rassian ways. One can tell that Goncharov is a very conservative individual.
So far, of note has been Oblomov’s Dream: it is an idyllic of life on a provincial Russian estate, complete with sumptuous meals and mushroom pies. Obviously, it is a bit much. The servants all love their masters. That’s where I am right now, page 241,”- said William.

First Meeting

On Saturday, February 24, 2007 was the first meeting of the Oblomov Society.
It was held after the rehearsal of the Chekhov Vaudevilles at Hart House.

Four members of our society: William, Vladimir, Dimitry and Olga decided to support Vladimir's idea to organize the society.

The name of the society is a work in progress. It would be The Toronto Oblomov Society, or The Royal Canadian Oblomov Society or something else but it is clear that it will be The Oblomov Society.

Plans for the near future:

Sunday, March 4, 2007
Chekhov in Canada
The Hart House Drama Society's presentation of the Chekhov Vaudevilles

Sunday, March 11, 2007
Macbeth

Shakespeare Quote From Macbeth
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow...

"To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."

--From Macbeth (V, v, 19)

Sunday, March 18, 2007
Tyutchev - Nabokov

Silentium
Feodor Tyutchev

Speak not, lie hidden, and conceal
the way you dream, the things you feel.
Deep in your spirit let them rise
akin to stars in crystal skies
that set before the night is blurred:
delight in them and speak no word.

How can a heart expression find?
How should another know your mind?
Will he discern what quickens you?
A thought once uttered is untrue.
Dimmed is the fountainhead when stirred:
drink at the source and speak no word.

Live in your inner self alone
within your soul a world has grown,
the magic of veiled thoughts that might
be blinded by the outer light,
drowned in the noise of day, unheard...
take in their song and speak no word.

Translated by Vladimir Nabokov

Sunday, March 25, 2007
New translations of Oblomov, the best known novel by Ivan Goncharov

Welcome

Welcome to the Oblomov Society's Web-Presence!


Vladimir Shatsev: Readings from Russia

I also have an idea for a Royal Toronto Oblomov Society which could be the society of mostly English speaking people involved in the reading of Goncharov, Gogol, Nabokov etc. The only requirement to become a member of this society is to read the novels relaxing on the sofa, drinking hot chocolate, and from time to time exchanging opinions by phone or by e-mail.

Vladimir