A.V. Lunacharsky and E.K. Malinovskaya: The History of the Relationship Between the Chiefs of Soviet Art

Abstract

The article examines the relationship between the two prominent leaders of Soviet art — head of the Russian SFSR People’s Commissariat for Education A.V. Lunacharsky and E.K. Malinovskaya who managed the Moscow academic theatres in 1919–1924. Based on the material of six archive fund collections, the author of the article shows the complex dynamics of the relations influenced by their long-standing acquaintance from pre-revolutionary times, their personal artistic tastes, and the situation that developed around academic theatres in the early 1920s. In his letters to Malinovskaya, Lunacharsky often acted as a leader and patron, which appeared natural from the point of view of subordination. However, being not only a high-ranking official but also a prolific playwright interested in a special relationship with the theatrical world, in the matters that concerned the staging of his plays, he sometimes turned into a petitioner. Despite disagreements with Malinovskaya, sometimes significant, Lunacharsky appreciated her business qualities and deep involvement in the affairs of the theatre department, especially those of the Bolshoi theatre, where Malinovskaya, in addition to the general management of the academic stage, held the post of director. However, being passionate about her business, by 1924 she had managed to make a large number of enemies, which stopped Lunacharsky from further defending his “energetic employee” in the government service, and he decided to accept her resignation.

Keywords

• a.v. lunacharsky
• e.k. malinovskaya
• people’s commissariat for education
• soviet art
• soviet theatre
• the bolshoi theatre