Scientists have found three previously unknown poems by Lomonosov

ST. PETERSBURG. Literary scholars of the Institute of Russian Literature (Pushkin House), working on the compilation of the "Dictionary of Russian Writers of the 18th Century," found three previously unknown congratulatory poems written by Mikhail Lomonosov.

The Secretary of the Pushkin House Andrei Kostin said that the find is two New Year’s greetings, which were included in the fireworks programs in honor of the onset of 1758 and 1759 and a poem dedicated to the June festival with fireworks in 1758 near the Shuvalov Palace.

None of Lomonosov’s creations has been signed, but researchers are sure that they have come out of the pen of the great Russian poet. This is indicated by certain facts from the biography of Lomonosov, as well as the writing style inherent only to him. So, according to Kostin, there are two documents related to those events. One of them is a receipt for the issuance of 200 rubles to Lomonosov for the preparation of fireworks in honor of the onset of 1759, the other document is a holiday program issued to each guest. In the Russian-French version of the program there was a congratulatory verse of 20 lines, while the Russian-German version did not contain any verses. “Lomonosov’s authorship is indicated by his literary style, as well as a comparison of biographical data and analysis of archival documents,” said the researcher.

One of the poems describes the fireworks in honor of the New Year of 1758, arranged near the Peter and Paul Fortress. Two others are also poems that, according to the fashion trend of those times, accompanied fireworks: a salute on June 11, 1758 near the palace of Count Pyotr Shuvalov and New Year’s in honor of the onset of 1759. “We attribute these works to Lomonosov with great confidence, although his signature on all three texts is missing,” the scientist said. Among the indirect evidence of Lomonosov’s authorship are other similar poems in his collections, compiled by him in 1756. Later, when collected works were compiled without the participation of Lomonosov, they no longer included works without the signature of the poet.

The found poems will be included in the additional fourth volume of the “Dictionary of Russian Writers of the 18th Century”, on which literary critics are now working.

Svetlana Korableva © Gallerix.ru