Creative Orbit of a Playwright

The National Library of Belarus celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of playwright, translator, public figure Andrei Makayonok, creator of a bright original talent on November 10.

The exhibition “Creative Orbit of a Playwright” from the collections of the National Library of Belarus has been prepared for the anniversary. The exposition consists of five sections, in which Andrei Makayonok is presented not only as a genius comedy writer but also as a talented editor, translator and screenwriter.

The first section of the exhibition "The Editor Andrei Makayonok" reflects the period of the formation of the playwright's creative image during his work in the editorial offices of the magazines "Vozhyk" and "Neman". The "Vozhyk" magazine (1949) is the crown jewel of the exposition. “It was a great school where my pen was honed,” he notes, has already become a famous satirist-comedian.

The central place in the exhibition is occupied by the dramatic heritage of Andrei Makayonok. Here are presented and funny everyday comedy, and drama, and tragicomedy, but they are united by a satirical basis. In the full and versatile disclosure of the topic, a significant role is assigned to the "Teatralny Minsk" edition.

Among the interesting exhibits is the first book by the playwright "Perad Sustrachay. Zhytsyo patrabue" (1951); the play "Na Disvitku" (1951) is the first serious attempt by Andrei Makayonok in drama. A special place is given to the satirical comedy "Vybachaytse, kali laska!" (1954), which had great stage success and was staged not only by Belarusian theatres, but also by more than 200 theaters outside Belarus. There is the first issue of the magazine "Theater" (1961), on the pages of which the famous play by Andrey Makayonok "Lyavonikha on arbice" was first published.

In the section of the exposition "The Playwright Andrei Makayonok" a special place is given to his tragicomedies: "Zatsyukany Apostal" and "Trybunal" (1969-1970), written by the author at the time of his creative maturity.

Working in the comedy-satirical genre, in a special, bright, acutely conflict genre, the playwright opened a new page in the history of the Belarusian theatre.

The publications identified in the collections of the National Library of Belarus made it possible to present Andrei Makayonok as a talented translator (section “The Translator Andrei Makayonok”) and a screenwriter (“The Screenwriter Andrei Makayonok”). There is a literary script for a full-length artistic colour television film based on the play by Yanka Kupala "Paulinka" (1972) among the materials of the exhibition.

The last section of the exhibition is devoted to the research of the creative orbit of Andrei Makayonok.

Andrei Makayonok, an innovative playwright, confidently walked along the path of life, where there are so many bright plots and themes necessary for creativity. Directors, actors, critics grew up, young playwrights were brought up On his plays. Performances based on his works are always a festive meeting place for spectators with their favorite actors, answers to exciting questions.

Watch also Belarus 1 coverage

The books presented at the exhibition can be ordered through the electronic catalogue of the National Library of Belarus.

For more info: (+375 17) 293 29 80.