On the question of the origins of Berdyaev's creativity. Historical excursion into Russian-Italian cultural relations

Abstract

The article is devoted to one of the most important sources of Berdyaev's creativity, which is usually overlooked when studying his legacy. We are talking about the philosopher's Italian travels, which had a "huge" influence on his work. But since his trips go far beyond the boundaries of his personal experience alone and fit seamlessly into the general context of Russian-Italian cultural ties, it seemed appropriate to turn to their expanded disclosure within the broader theme of "Italy and Russia" in order, on the one hand, to show the inextricable connection of Berdyaev's Italian travels with this centuries-old tradition, thanks to which formed the soil that will become a breeding ground for many of the defining provisions of Berdyaev's aesthetics. And on the other hand, against this broader historical background of cultural ties between our countries, the declared topic appears more multifaceted, highlighting the full significance and influence of Italian travels on Berdyaev's work, and at the same time demonstrating their far from accidental nature, which caused both his research interest in Italian culture and the conceptual foundations of his philosophical- aesthetic thought. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the fact that it is the first attempt in Russian literature to study Berdyaev's Italian travels as one of the most important sources of his work, which have not yet been the subject of special study. In addition, they are viewed against a broad background of Russian-Italian cultural ties that have been formed over several centuries, which the Silver Age inherited as an established tradition. This makes it possible to identify both their organic connection and continuity with this tradition, and hence their quite natural character, and Berdyaev's active role in the development and strengthening of these ties.