Sad genius, spirit of torment
Ivan Alekseevich Bunin was born 140 years ago, on October 22, in Voronezh. He spent his childhood in the province, in the Oryol province, on a farm under the ominous name Butyrki, so familiar to us. The old noble family of the Bunins became impoverished, and this boded trouble. The writer had a presentiment: along with the nobility, the peasantry would also die, along with simple prayers, the cornerstone of duty, diligence, and faith would crumble.