I. A. Bunin's Literary Work in the context of the Intercultural Dialogue between the Peoples of Russia and China

Abstract

The article is a description of the literary policy of the Chinese state on the example of the work of the Russian writer I. A. Bunin. It is emphasized that the Chinese state has always been interested in friendly mutually beneficial relations with the states and peoples of neighboring countries, so it has historically resorted to the "soft power" strategy. The hypothesis of the influence of the Chinese state on representatives of Russian cosmism, as well as their supporters, including I. A. Bunin, is expressed and partially substantiated. Russian writer's work and the development of Bunin studies in China, which, on the one hand, allows the Chinese to better understand the culture and soul of the Russian person, on the other hand, contributes to ensuring intercultural dialogue between the two peoples and their rapprochement, are considered. Conclusions are drawn that are important for the development of Russia and Russian-Chinese relations: a) Russia's harmonious development is impossible in conditions of isolation from the East, due to the geopolitical position of the country; b) The Chinese state has historically sought to ensure close cooperation with Russia using the "soft power" strategy; c) the "soft power" strategy was oriented towards the Russian intelligentsia, which formed a positive attitude of the Russian population towards the East and smoothed the sharp corners in the pro-Western policy of the Russian state; d) the policy of cultural influence of the Chinese Empire, and then the PRC, contributed to the transformation of the philosophical doctrine of Russian cosmism, which was supported by I. A. Bunin and other prominent Russian writers; e) eastern orientalism in the works of I. A. Bunin, to one degree or another contributed to the harmonization of relations in Russia and, along with the works of L. N. Tolstov and A. P. Chekhov, became part of the cultural tunnel between Western-oriented Russia and China.