“The Country of a Distant and Mysterious Tribe”: Russia and Russian Literature in Italian Journals and Books for Children (1920-1940s)

This article examines translations and adaptations of Russian literature in Italian periodicals and book series for children in the fascist period (1921– 1945). By analyzing the repertoire of publications translated from Russian and other languages and comparing it with the repertoire of translations from other foreign works of literature, the share of Russian authors is established, the most popular genres and narrative characteristics of Russian texts are identified, the cultural and pedagogical aims of publishing Russian books and what factors influenced the selection of works for translation are clarified if possible. Special attention is paid to the cooperation between Russian emigrants and Italian editors and illustrators, as well as to the perception of Russian literature by Italian educational critics. The analysis offers an essential contribution to the study of Italian-Russian cultural and literary relations in the first half of the twentieth century and sheds light on hitherto little-studied publishing practices that after World War II would allow Russian classics to reach an increasingly diverse audience in Italy.