“We are Looking for Money wherever there are Friends of Russian Art, Russian Poetry”: V.F. Zeeler and the Committee to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of K.D. Balmont's Literary Activity

Abstract

In 1935–1936 Konstantin Dmitrievich Balmont (1867–1942) suffered a serious nervous disease that interrupted his literary activity. The treatment, which required large expenses, deprived him of his livelihood, and Russian emigrants joined in helping the sick poet. A well-known public figure Vladimir Feofilovich Zeeler (1874–1954), secretary of the Union of Russian Writers and Journalists in Paris, the driving force and treasurer of the Committee to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Balmont’s literary activity (official English translation: the Committee for the Recognition of the 50 years long literary activity of Constantin Balmont) established at the end of 1935, was particularly active in fundraising. The history of his relationship with the poet is generally known from Balmont’s published letters and poems addressed to Zeeler, and from Zeeler’s memoirs. This paper complements it with the text of the Committee’s appeal, most likely compiled by Zeeler, re-printed in full for the first time, and with the materials of Zeeler’s correspondence with sponsors published for the first time.