Andrey Platonovich
Platonov
1899-1951
Andrey Platonov (Klimentov) was a Russian Soviet writer, novelist, and playwright who lived in the twentieth century. He was born on August 20th (September 1st), 1899, in Voronezh, in a working-class family of 11 children, where he was the eldest. As the oldest son, Platonov helped to raise his siblings and later provided financial support for the family. He received his education at a parish school and then finished a four-year city school. In 1918, he entered Voronezh Technical College, but due to his family’s financial difficulties, he began working early, trying various jobs such as an assistant machinist, foundry worker, insurance agent, and millstone manufacturer. In 1920, he adopted the pen name “Platonov”. Platonov’s literary career began during the Civil War when he worked as a war correspondent. His writing style was characterized by its unique blend of realism and fantasy, which made him one of the most original and influential authors of his time. During this period, Platonov’s first books were published, including “Electrification” (1921) and a collection of poems titled “The Blue Depths” (1922). These works received positive critical reviews. In 1923, Valery Bryusov, a renowned poet, praised Platonov’s writing. After graduating from Polytechnic Institute in 1924, Platonov began working in the field of electrical engineering and land reclamation, and his works of this time reflected the influence of revolutionary ideals. However, later, he realized the utopian nature of these ideals. From 1927 to 1930, Platonov wrote his most famous works, including the story “The Pit” and the novel “Chevengur.” During the Great Patriotic War, he served as a war correspondent, and his literary reputation grew after his death when his work was made available to a wider audience, particularly in the 1960s. Vasiliev noted that readers missed Andrei Platonov during his lifetime, but they were able to get to know him in the 1960s and rediscover him in our time. In honour of the writer’s memory, streets, libraries, gymnasiums, and literary prizes have been named, and a monument was erected in his hometown of Voronezh. Additionally, a memorial plaque has been installed in Moscow on the house where he lived from 1931 to 1951.
Address: Moscow, Tverskaya Boulevard, 25, building 1
