V. M. Zhirmunsky in Hungary, 1962: Towards the history of the scientific ties

Abstract

The scientific report of an outstanding linguist and literary critic V. M. Zhirmunsky on his trip to Budapest in October 1962 to an International conference on comparative literature is published with comments and the introduction. This document is not only remarkable in the context of the history of Soviet-Hungarian scientific ties and intellectual exchanges between socialist countries, but also in the light of the history of literary criticism and Slavic studies. It’s interesting because the document reflects the views of the major scientist on the development of international scientific contacts, shows his criticism of the Soviet academic bureaucracy and cautious dissatisfaction with the existing system of science management. The report is also important in connection with the study of intellectual transfers in the Cold War era. The presented document reveals pain points in the history of Soviet science diplomacy. A detailed introduction shows the interaction of V. M. Zhirmunsky and his colleagues with Hungarian scientists, their joint research projects. A special place is given to the figure of Prof. István Sőtér, a prominent Hungarian literary critic and writer, who was the initiator of the 1962 conference. His relations with Soviet scientists, in particular, with Yu. G. Oksman, whom the Hungarian scientist tried in vain to invite to the aforementioned Budapest conference. At the same time, it is concluded that difficulties in the development of international relations of Soviet scientists, in addition to ideological reasons, were due to low management efficiency and bureaucratization.