On the activities of E. A. Muravyova in the Roma section of the Union of Soviet Writers (until June 1941)

Abstract

The article highlights the activities of the Section of Roma writers under the Bureau of National Commissions of the Union of Soviet Writers from the end of 1939 to June 1941 inclusive. This period is very significant for the restoration of the history of Soviet Romani literature for almost two years. From September 1939 to June 1941, Roma writers sought new productive contacts with the authorities in an attempt to revive Romani book publishing. The article presents new data based on previously unstudied archival documents and two letters from Roma writers. New facts about the book collection (almanac) of Romani stories translated into Russian and planned for publication in 1941 are presented and confirmed by archival documents, in particular, letters from the famous writer and poet Mikhail Timofeevich Bezlyudsky (1901–1970) and from the Crimean Roma Yu. B. Dzhaltyrov to Elizaveta Aleksandrovna Muravyova (1922–2007), whose contribution to the work of the Section is described on the basis of her biographical data. She also translated Roma tales and stories into Russian for future editions; she recorded Roma songs from performers for decades.