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263
diaries and scenarios of Dovzhenko,u the works of Nikolaeva,18 Kuzma
Chorny,1. the long-suffering Goretzky16 and manuscript works of all
ages and in various languages rank no less as literature than all those
gorgeous multivolume editions in their leathercloth bindings.
It may
be
that some people will be displeased by what I have said.
Instead, perhaps some people might have liked to hear me repent my
sins in the manner of Go Mo-jo,16 but nowadays this brand of repent–
ance is rather too cheap a commodity, as Makayonok 17 eloqueptly
demonstrated only yesterday. Therefore let us not be hypocritical. We
are not enemies of the people, nor are we out to undermine the Soviet
government, our loyalty to which has in many cases been proved by
shedding our blood. Nor are we. even asking for special treatment; all
we ask is more patience. Put yourself in our place and you will realize
that we do not have much choice. The issue is: either we have a
literature or we have none. There is no middle way.
(Applause)
In conclusion, I should like to say that despite ' the somewhat
gloomy thoughts that I have expressed, I believe in the creative power
of our literature, just as I believe in the reasonableness, common sense
and goodwill of those responsible for guiding
it.
I should also like to
take this opportunity of thanking the many writers who, before this
congress, gave such eloquent proof of their civic courage and profes–
sional solidarity in reacting to a certain attack that was directed
against me.l.8 So long as we writers are united on such vital matters
and are prepared to declare ourselves openly, then the Byelorussian
people may rest assured about the future destiny of its literature.
Vasil Bykoy
(Translated from the Russian by Michael Glenny)
12. Alexander Petrovich Dovzhenko (1894-1956). Famous Soviet
film
,director,
of Cossack origin. His famous movie
Earth
(1930), about the ' Russian
peasantry on the eve of collectivization, was condemned by official critics
as "counter-revolutionary" and "defeatist." He regained favor with
Shchors
(1939), a romanticized picture of a Red Army hero of the civil war. It is
known that much of his autobiographical material and unmade screenplays
are still banned from publication.
13. Galina Nikolaeva. Distinguished Soviet writer, author of several novels
published after being heavily censored.
14. Kuzma Chorny. Byelorussian novelist.
15. Goretzky. Author of several banned works.
16.
Go
Mo-jo. Leading Chinese writer, former Secretary of the Chinese Writers'
Union. Attacked and persecuted during the Cultural Revolution, he made
an abject "confession" of his ideological sins.
17. Nikolai Makayonok. Soviet Byelorussian playwright. His comedy entitled
Gallstones
caused severe official displeasure by
its
biting satire.
18. Refen again
·to
army-inspired attack. on Bykov.
