Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –
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September 29th marked the 121st anniversary of the birth of Soviet writer Nikolai Ostrovsky, known for his novels How the Steel Was Tempered and Born in the Storm. Kultura Moskvy spoke with Igor Dumenko, director State Museum – Cultural Center "Integration" named after N.A. Ostrovsky, about the author's legacy, the relevance of his works and the activities of the museum, which is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year.
Nikolai Ostrovsky lived a short life, full of challenges. With whom of his famous contemporaries did he maintain close relationships, and who had a particular influence on his work and worldview?
Nikolai Ostrovsky lived in an era when personal connections and ideological values were inseparable from public life. He maintained relationships with several prominent figures of his time, most notably Alexander Serafimovich, the author of "The Iron Stream," who became not only a literary mentor but also a moral compass for Ostrovsky. Serafimovich was one of the first to believe in the young writer's talent and supported him during his most difficult moments.
Alexandra Zhigireva, Nikolai Ostrovsky's friend and a close friend, played a key role in his life. She contributed greatly to both improving the writer's living conditions and to the publication of his novel, "How the Steel Was Tempered." Zhigireva was among those who contacted publishers and newspaper editors to draw attention to Nikolai Ostrovsky's work. He signed her personal copy: "To my dear, dear, beloved Shurochka, from my 'little brother' and friend."
The staff of Molodaya Gvardiya magazine, where How the Steel Was Tempered was first published, also deserves mention. Their support, editorial work, and belief in the text's significance helped it take on the form that made it a landmark work of the era.
— It's known that Vsevolod Meyerhold planned to stage a play based on Ostrovsky's work. What kind of production was it?
Yes, indeed, Vsevolod Meyerhold showed interest in the writer's work. According to an archival note published in the newspaper "Udarnik Metrostroya" on April 8, 1936, the famous director planned to stage a play called "One Life" based on Nikolai Ostrovsky's novel "How the Steel Was Tempered." It would have been an avant-garde production, in the spirit of his theatrical experiments, with an emphasis on the protagonist's inner struggle, overcoming, and transformation. Unfortunately, the project never came to fruition—historical circumstances and Meyerhold's own fate prevented him from realizing his vision.
Nevertheless, the idea of a stage adaptation of the novel lives on: over the years, "How the Steel Was Tempered" has been staged in theaters across Russia and abroad. One of the most striking modern interpretations was the premiere of a dramatic musical of the same name at the Fyodor Volkov Russian State Academic Drama Theater in Yaroslavl. Modern productions, including this one, strive to reveal Pavka Korchagin's character beyond ideological boundaries—as a man fighting for the meaning of life and dignity.
— In your opinion, what is the secret of the popularity of the novel "How the Steel Was Tempered" and its relevance today?
The novel's secret lies in its sincerity. It's not just the story of a hero—it's the confession of a man who lived to the very limits of his abilities. Pavka Korchagin isn't a fictional superhero, but a collective image of a generation learning to live anew after revolution, war, and loss. During the Great Patriotic War, the novel became a beacon for defenders of the Fatherland, a source of strength and self-confidence. Today, the novel is relevant as a conversation about resilience, the search for meaning, and how to preserve humanity in the face of pain and loss. It continues to inspire not with slogans, but with inner truth.
The memorial apartment museum was created shortly after the writer's death. Whose initiative was it?
The creation of the museum is primarily a credit to the women who surrounded Nikolai Ostrovsky. His mother, wife, and sister became the first guardians of his memory. They didn't simply preserve his personal belongings, letters, and manuscripts—they created a space where the writer's living presence could be felt. In 1937, the first Nikolai Ostrovsky Museum opened in Sochi, with his sister Ekaterina as its director. And the writer's widow, Raisa Ostrovskaya, headed the memorial apartment museum on Tverskaya Street, which opened in Moscow in 1940. It was an act of love and respect that we continue to support today.
— Please tell us what contemporary projects continue the legacy of Nikolai Ostrovsky?
Our museum actively develops inclusive and educational initiatives. We host art competitions, lectures, and creative workshops, and develop educational programs. It's important that the writer's voice be heard not only in books but also in a lively dialogue with contemporary life.
— What is today’s museum visitor like?
"Our visitors are very diverse. They include schoolchildren, students, senior citizens, and tourists from the regions and abroad. I'd especially like to highlight our guests from China—interest in Nikolai Ostrovsky remains enormous there, the novel is part of the school curriculum, and Pavka Korchagin is seen as a symbol of courage. But the most important thing is the personal reaction. People come not for ideology, but for human history. They admire resilience, honesty, and the ability to live with dignity. And this makes the museum a vibrant space where generations and cultures meet."
— What do you think, if Nikolai Ostrovsky lived today, who would he be?
"I think he would have been what he's always been—a man of action. Perhaps he would have become a blogger sharing life's unvarnished stories. Or a social activist fighting for the rights of people with disabilities. Or perhaps a writer, writing autobiographies or nonfiction. But in any case, he would have been sincere, straightforward, and caring. His voice would have been loud and honest."
— What chapters in Nikolai Ostrovsky's life remain little known?
Few people know how difficult the writer's path to recognition was. His early manuscripts were rejected, he faced misunderstanding, serious illness, and isolation. Little is said about his spiritual life—his doubts, his inner struggles. These pages are important because they make him more relatable, more understandable, and more humane. We strive to reveal these aspects in our exhibitions and programs.
— How do you feel when you read this quote from Nikolai Ostrovsky's novel: "Know how to live even when life becomes unbearable. Make it useful."
"When I say this phrase, I feel a call to a proactive approach to life, to fight to the end, despite all obstacles. They contain the wisdom of a man who has learned the true value of life and its trials."
— What are the museum’s plans for the future?
We've completed a large-scale re-exhibition, which allowed us to retell Nikolai Ostrovsky's story through personal belongings, documents, and multimedia. Ahead are anniversary events, new exhibitions, and expanded inclusive programs. We want the museum to become not only a place of remembrance but also a focal point for those seeking inspiration, support, and dialogue. We're open to collaboration and believe that Nikolai Ostrovsky's legacy is not just a legacy of the past, but a resource for the future.
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