The Discoverer of Magtymuly Pyragy in Europe, Aleksander Chodzko-Boreyko, and His Work of 1842

Abstract

The article deals with Aleksander Chodzko-Boreyko (1804–1891) as the first researcher and popularizer of the work of the brilliant Turkmen poet Magtymguly Pyragy in Europe, as well as about oriental motifs in his literary work in 1842, A. Chodzko published in London the book “Specimens of the Popular Poetry…”, which, in particular, deals with Turkmen poetry and its representatives, among whom the highest marks were received by “Mehdum-Kuly” (Magtymguly). The author of the book cites a fictitious biography of the Turkmen poet and his father, in which the legend of the divine origin of the poetic gift of Pyragy attracts attention. A. Chodzko also provides a prose retelling of three songs by Magtymguly, which testify to the high level of creativity of the Turkmen poet.

The former diplomat notes the poet’s attention to the beauty of nature and his focus on the philosophical motives of futility, the transience of worldly life, on the establishment of a humanistic worldview, which was a great innovation for Eastern poetry.

A. Chodzko-Boreyko is also the author of the original poetry collection “Poezye” (1829), in which there are many works with oriental motifs, images, lyrical genres, etc. In these works, the author proved that he perfectly mastered the features of classical Arabic and Persian literature, skillfully stylized them in his own works. First of all, researchers single out the poem “Deral” (“Pearl”), which intertwines various oriental motifs and images, the vicissitudes of a love tragedy with a fascinating presentation of armed confrontation. The creative and scientific work of Aleksander Chodzko-Boreyko is a significant contribution to the world magistrate studies and the study and popularization of the treasures of oriental lyrics.