Velimir Khlebnikov's “Christmas Tale” Snezhimochka

Abstract

A wide range of dramatic forms can be found in Khlebnikov’s dramatic œuvre, which should be viewed against the background of Russian classical literature and culture, Symbolism, as well as the Futurist theatre of the time. In this paper I focus on Khlebnikov’s early dramatic work Snezhimochka (Snowflake, 1908) retracing its connections with the folk character of Snegurochka (the Snow Maiden) as she is represented in Afanas’ev’s famous collections of folktales, on which Ostrovsky based his play Snegurochka (1873), on which in turn Rimsky-Korsakov based his opera Snegurochka (1882). I highlight how the motif of the Snow Maiden played an important role in the revival of interest in folklore and Slavic mythology in St Petersburg Symbolist circles, which the young Khlebnikov frequented. Finally, Snezhimochka and Kruchenykh’s “opera” Victory over the Sun – which were intended to be performed together – are compared with reference to the theme of the sun, their characters, and, above all, their treatment of language and neologization.