Pavel Petrovich
Bazhov
1879-1950
Pavel Petrovich Bazhov was not only a prominent writer, but also an important figure in the cultural and social life of the Ural region. His literary legacy is closely tied to folklore and the revolutionary changes that took place in Russia in the early 20th century. Through his works, Bazhov skillfully combined elements from folk tales with his personal interpretation of reality, creating a unique artistic universe where mythology, historical truth, and folk wisdom intertwine. P.P. Bazhov was born in 1879 and grew up in a working-class family in the Ural Mountains, which influenced his profound understanding of ordinary people’s lives. As a young man, he attended a factory school and later entered Yekaterinburg Theological Seminary, where he pursued his education despite financial constraints. During these years, he became familiar with folklore by listening to the stories of older people, such as Vasily Alekseevich Khmelinin. Later, he wrote about him in his fairy tales. This experience with the folk culture became one of the most significant moments in the development of his literary interests. Later, P. P. Bazhov continued his studies at Perm Theological Seminary, but soon abandoned the priesthood, deciding to dedicate his life to literature and education. As a teacher, he actively engaged in the education of younger generations, and also deeply studied the history of the Urals and local folklore, which later influenced his work. During the 1905 Revolution, P. P. Bazhov was elected chairman of the Kamyshlovsky Soviet and held an active position in the Socialist Revolutionary Party. He conducted extensive political and cultural activities during this period, published works including reports on peasants’ organizations, and worked to develop education in the region. During World War I, Pavel Petrovich served in the Red Army and later worked to establish schools and eradicate illiteracy in Ust-Kamenogorsk. After the war, he continued his literary career and became one of the most prominent writers of the Soviet era. Bazhov’s writing career began with his recording of Uralic epics and legends, which he collected during his travels in the Urals, his native region. The first book, “The Urals Were”, was published in 1924. Pavel Bazhov began his writing career and quickly gained popularity. However, he became most famous for his fairy tales, especially the collection “The Malachite Casket”, published in 1939. This collection brought him recognition as one of the greatest folklorists and writers of his time. In his works, Bazhov combined folklore elements with his own observations of the life and traditions of the Ural region. His tales are filled with mythical characters such as the Mistress of the Copper Mountain and the Great Poloz, as well as ordinary but profound characters like Master Danila. These characters represent not only folk wisdom, but also the essence of the Urals itself, its power and mystery. A monument to P.P. Bazhov has been erected in Moscow. It is a marble bust of Bazhov mounted on a pedestal with a rough stone front. Bazhov is depicted wearing a winter sheepskin coat with a fur collar. The inscription on the coat is modeled after his autograph: “Bazhov”.
Address: Moscow, Bazhova Square
