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Undying Love for Russia

On May 7, 2018, it is the 130th anniversary of Aminad Petrovich Shpolyansky, an emigrant poet, known under the pseudonym of Don-Aminado.

Mikhail Alexandrovich Sholokhov was fond of the poetry by Don-Aminado; it was filled with light sadness and longing for his homeland. The writer learned about the work of the poet in the 1930s and read all that was published at that time. In 1935, Sholokhov brought from Paris several books of his poetry and especially loved to read again and again “Having Covered with a Cloak…”

The work of A.P.Shpolyansky was highly appreciated by many of the major figures of art: A.M.Gorky, A.I.Kuprin, M.A.Aldanov, Z.N.Gippius. Thus, for example, I.A.Bunin called him one of the most outstanding Russian humourists, whose verses give an artistic pleasure”.

Books of poetry by Don-Aminado were published in Paris: “Smoke without Fatherland” (1921), “Having Covered with a Cloak…” (1928), “Amusing Garden” (1935), “In Those Fabulous Years” (1951), and in 1954, a book of memories “The Train is on the Third Track” was issued. After the poet’s death his archives were taken to his homeland.

Natalya Kirsanova