Ivanov-"tragik" i Kuzmin-"epikureyec": nekotorye soobrazheniya na polyakh chernovogo varianta stikhotvoreniya V.I. Ivanova "Druz'ya, vam vysokikh veselij..."

The article explores the relationship between two prominent figures of Russian Symbolism, Vyacheslav Ivanov and Mikhail Kuzmin, analyzing the differences in their philosophical and aesthetic conceptions within the context of the literary circle "Druz’ya Gafiza” (The Friends of Ḥāfeẓ), founded in 1906. It focuses particularly on Ivanov's poem, "Druz’ya! vam vysokikh veseliy" (Friends! To you, exalted joys...), written for one of the circle’s early meetings and compared with a work by Kuzmin from the same period. Ivanov, the "tragic", advocates a mystical and sacred vision of art and love, closely tied to sacrifice and transcendence. Conversely, Kuzmin, the "epicurean," adopts an aesthetic approach, celebrating beauty and the joy of sensory reality. Through the comparison of their works, the article highlights the conflict between two irreconcilable visions: on one hand, art as a tool to transcend the phenomenal world; on the other, the acceptance of the sensory world as a source of poetic inspiration. The paper also delves into the philosophical and mythopoetic implications of their poems, referencing the symbolism of Ḥāfeẓ, Sufi traditions, and Greek mythology. By examining manuscripts and diaries from the period, the author reconstructs the debate between Ivanov and Kuzmin and the subsequent decline of the circle. Finally, the article reflects on why Ivanov revised his poem for its 1911 publication, removing its optimistic conclusion in light of the group's failed expectations.