“The poet of Russia” - an unknown article about Ivan Shmelev by G. V. Mesnyaev

The task of the article is to consider the literary relations of representatives of two waves of Russian emigration, i. e. Ivan Shmelev (1873-1950) and Grigory Mesnyaev (1892-1967). The work is based on the unknown archival materials, exactly Mesnyaev’s letters (1949-1950) to Shmelev. The analysis of Mesnyaev’s literary and critical works reveals the conceptual view of the essayist on Shmelev’s creative work and his artistic and religious understanding of Russia. A complex studies of Mesyanev’s epistolary and essays allows to conclude that Mesnyaev considers Shmelev as an artist who sharply feels Russia, penetrates into the depths of its spirit, and reveals the Russian folk soul. The text of the article by G. Mesyanev “The Poet of Russia” (1956) is also published here.