Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Official website of the State –
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257 years ago, on February 13, Ivan Krylov was born—the famous fabulist whose lines we remember from childhood. They contain simple, everyday wisdom familiar to everyone, which is why, even two centuries ago, everyone read his works, regardless of class or age. They remain relevant today:
"How many times have we told the world that flattery is vile and harmful; but it's all to no avail, and a flatterer will always find a place in the heart."
Childhood and the "first steps" of a career
Ivan Andreevich was born in Moscow, the son of an officer. His father possessed a large home library, so from childhood his son was immersed in books and self-educated: he studied arithmetic, foreign languages (English, Italian, German), and read extensively. The boy received no formal education, as he was already working as an assistant clerk at the age of 11 – his father died early, leaving his mother to help support the family. It was she who taught the future writer to read and write, and a tutor who taught him French.
At age 13, the young man moved to St. Petersburg, where he lived in the home of a family friend, the civil servant Fyodor Lvov. The move had a profound impact on his work: Krylov gained access to the capital's literary circle. On the advice of the fabulist Ivan Dmitriev, he translated Jean de Lefautin, a work that received praise from connoisseurs and became the starting point for his fable writing.
At age 15, he spent his free time from his duties in the chamber at the theater, meeting actors and working on his own works. In the late 1780s, Krylov wrote the daring plays "The Americans" and "The Pranksters." And in 1786, his opera "The Writer in the Hallway" was staged. After his initial success, Ivan Andreevich decided to leave his post and devote himself entirely to literature and theater. In 1789, the writer began publishing the humorous magazine "Mail of Spirits," in which he exposed government officials for bribery and lawbreaking.
Dissatisfaction with the authorities and a pause in creativity
Krylov found his niche in writing fables. They were distinguished by their realism and truthfulness, superb language, and memorable style. From 1789 to 1793, his works were actively published in the capital's journals: "Morning Hours," "Mail of Spirits," "Spectator," and "St. Petersburg Mercury." However, in 1793, "Mercury" was closed, placing him under secret police surveillance. The authorities were dissatisfied with his work and exiled him from St. Petersburg, banishing him from the governor's cities. Ivan Andreevich abandoned writing for many years. In 1797, he met Prince Golitsyn, who offered Krylov a position as a children's tutor and secretary.
"Tackle what you are good at if you want to have a successful end to your endeavors."
It wasn't until 1805 that the writer returned to fables, beginning to translate and write them. Within four years, his work had become immensely popular and, ultimately, brought him great fame. From 1810, the writer worked at the Imperial Public Library, and in 1811, he became a member of the Russian Academy and a member of the Literary Society of Lovers of Russian Literature. During this time, his most famous works were written: "The Crow and the Fox," "The Elephant and the Pug," "The Dragonfly and the Ant," "The Quartet," "The Monkey and the Glasses," "The Swan, the Crayfish, and the Pike," "The Quartet," and many others. During his lifetime, Krylov wrote over 230 fables.
Krylov's acclaim was universal. He was read, quoted, and parsed into catchphrases: "The crow cawed with all its might," "Sing, my dear, don't be ashamed!," "The swan rushes into the clouds, the crayfish retreats, and the pike pulls into the water," "And you, friends, no matter how you sit, are still no good at being musicians," "Without a fight, you become a big bully."
Awards and achievements
Thanks to Ivan Krylov, the fable became so popular in the country and reflected the events unfolding there, like a chronicle. Nikolai Gogol characterized Krylov and his work thus: "Krylov chose the fable form, disdained by everyone as something old, unfit for use, and almost a child's toy—and in this fable he managed to become a national poet."
The writer received not only public recognition and admiration but also state awards and a pension. From 1816, he held the position of librarian at the Imperial Public Library. For his creative achievements, he was awarded the Gold Medal of the Russian Academy, the Order of St. Stanislav, 2nd class, the Order of St. Anna, 2nd class, and the Order of St. Vladimir, 4th class.
Krylov's 50th Anniversary
In 1838, St. Petersburg celebrated the famous fabulist's birthday with great pomp. Firstly, it was the first time in Russian and European culture that a living writer was honored solely for his literary achievements. Secondly, over three hundred people were invited to the celebration in the hall of the St. Petersburg Assembly of the Nobility: ministers, members of the State Council, literary figures, and the young Grand Dukes Mikhail and Nikolai with their tutors. The anniversary was prepared by a group of St. Petersburg writers; a script was even written. It included a gala dinner, a performance of the anniversary cantata by the bass Osip Petrov, the decoration of the hall with a bust of Krylov, the awarding of the writer, a showering of flowers, and the crowning of the celebrant with a laurel wreath.
By the Supreme Command, a commemorative medal with a portrait of the fabulist was minted for this date, and two Krylov scholarships were established for poor high school students.
In 1845, Vissarion Belinsky wrote in an article dedicated to the memory of the writer: “…Krylov received a true, unprecedented reward for his literary merits… St. Petersburg writers, with their highest permission, gave Krylov a dinner, in which many dignitaries and famous people participated.”
Retirement and move to Vasilievsky Island
In 1841, Krylov retired from his career with a lifelong pension and moved to Vasilievsky Island. The reason for this decision was unknown: some believed the writer had become addicted to gambling, others believed he was hiding from society due to literary failures.
His daily routine included reading periodicals, smoking cigars, and receiving visitors, with whom he conducted conversations without leaving his chair due to ill health. He was still feeling well on November 20, 1844, but on the 21st, he asked to be put to bed and passed away.
The writer's final wish was to send out an invitation to his own funeral in the form of a special funeral edition of his fables. Ivan Andreevich's funeral service took place in St. Isaac's Cathedral. It couldn't accommodate all those wishing to say their farewells, so crowds filled Nevsky Prospect. The hearse proceeded to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, where the writer was buried. In 1855, a magnificent monument to Krylov, designed by sculptor Pyotr Klodt, was erected in the Summer Garden.
Ivan Krylov's works have become firmly entrenched in folklore, translated into over 50 foreign languages, and are a symbol of the national spirit and realism. Surpassing Pushkin and Karamzin, the fabulist became the most widely read writer of the 19th century and a "renewer" of the Russian literary language.
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