September 5 marks the 120th anniversary of the birth of Vital Volski (Vital Zejdel, 1901-1988), writer, playwright, theatre critic, famous storyteller and ethnographer.
The future writer was born on September 5, 1901 in St. Petersburg in the family of a public servant. Vital's youth coincided with the years of the revolution. He was carried away by the ideas of socialism, joined the revolutionary movement, took part in the civil war on the Western Front. Destiny brought the young man to Belarus, a country rich in historical heritage as well as songs and talents. This is where his exposure to the Belarusian people and their art began. The first book read in the Belarusian language was a collection of poems by Maksim Bahdanovich "Vianok". The future writer grew fond of the Belarusian language and began collecting folklore. He carried notebooks in his Red Army duffel bag, where he recorded Belarusian folk songs, legends, fairy tales, proverbs, dialects, and local history information.
Since then, Vital Volski became forever connected to Belarus. After the civil war, he served in the border troops, then worked in the Committee for the Control of Performances and Repertoire of the BSSR, in Belarusian State Cinema, was the director of the Viciebsk Art College. In 1927, he graduated from the Communist University of Belarus, in 1930–1932, he headed BDT-2 (Second Belarusian State Theatre in Viciebsk), in 1932–1936 – Institute of Literature and Art of the Academy of Sciences of the BSSR, defended his Ph.D. thesis (1934). At the same time he worked as an editor of the magazine "Mastactva i revaliucyja" (Art and Revolution) and headed the Belarusian Federative Association of Soviet writers.
During the Great Patriotic War Volski lived in Moscow, ran errands of the Soviet information bureau for the foreign press, was the editor of the propaganda poster department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Belarus "Razdavim Fashystskuju Hadzinu" ("Let's crush the fascist vermin"), headed the department of the magazine "Belarus". After the war, he worked in various positions in cultural and educational institutions of Belarus: in 1948–1954 he was a senior researcher at the Institute of Literature of the Academy of Sciences of the BSSR, in 1953–1966, he headed the board of the Literary Collections of the BSSR. In 1971, Vital Volski was awarded the title of Meritorious Cultural Worker of Belarus.
Vital Volski began his literary career in 1926. His first printed works were articles on theatrical art, folklore and language. Later, a number of literary studies were published: "Modern Issues of Belarusian Soviet Drama" (1934), "Eduard Samujlionak. Life and Writings" (1951)," Essays on the History of Belarusian Literature in the Feadalism Era"(1958). Volski was one of the authors of the textbook for higher educational institutions "Essays on the History of Belarusian Literature" (1956), a textbook for 9–10 grades "Belarusian Soviet Literature" (1948-1954), etc.
The writer was the founder of a new genre for Belarusian literature – a theatrical fairy tale. Deep knowledge of folklore and work in the theatre came in useful. The first fairy-tale play "A Wondrous Pipe" was written in 1939, the second, "An Old Man and A Crane" – in 1940. They were staged in the leading theatres as the best fairy-tale plays based on folklore material.
The treasury of Belarusian drama was also enriched by the play "Nescierka", which became one of the most popular dramatic works after its publication in 1940. The premiere of the play took place on May 18, 1941 at the Ja. Kolas Belarusian State Drama Theatre and has been its trademarks ever since. In 1946, the play was awarded the USSR State Prize.
Vital Volski wrote a number of pieces for the younger generation based on the material from numerous trips and various encounters. The writer strove to reveal to the youth the beauty of the nature of Belarus, the poetics of its magnificent landscapes. According to his script, in 1946 a popular science film "Bielaviezhskaja Pushcha" was created, in 1965 – a documentary film "Biarezina Reserve". In 1948, a book of essays and stories of local lore "Following the Forest Paths" was published. In the 1950s, a series of books about the native land appeared: "In the Forests Above the Biaroza River", "Month after Month", "At the Beaver's Lakes", "Seagulls over Narach". In 1961, the book of selected works "Native Land" was published, in 1974 – the book "Paliessie".
Vital Volski also wrote about the history of Belarus: “Three Journeys to the Country of Belarusians. A Book about Belarus ”(1967), “A Journey across the Land of Belarusians”(1968),“ Pages of our History. Book for Reading on the History of the BSSR for the Primary School" (1966). The works, which are still relevant today, are distinguished by the depth of reasoning, the accuracy of observation.
As a traveller, the writer visited the countries of the African continent: Senegal, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Tunisia, Morocco. After the trips, he issued the books "African Journey" (1963), "El Maghreb" (1965), "Under the African Sky" (1969).
For all the years of his creative life, Vital Volski as a writer, playwright, literary critic and traveller made a significant contribution to the development of Belarusian culture. His name proudly ranks among the names of prominent figures in the country. The writer was awarded the Order of the Red Star, the Badge of Honour and medals.
Information about the life and activities of Volski, his works can be found in the E-Catalogue of the National Library of Belarus, the electronic encyclopaedia “Belarus in Persons and Events”, on the websites of the Dziarzhynsk district and Brest regional libraries.
Bibliology Research Department
