BOOK COLLECTION OF SERGE LYFAR

Serge Lyfar (1905, Kyiv - 1986, Lausanna) the prominent dancer and choreographer, head of the Paris Grand Opera, premier danseur of the Russian Seasons of Sergiy Diaghilev's ballet. He was acknowledged by the world as the world ballet star, but his name had been forgotten in his Fartherland. Until quite recently no book has been published about this uncommon person, and his own books in French and English have been out of reach.

In accordance with the decision of the National Committee for restitution of cultural values to Ukraine the precious book collection of Serge Lyfar was transferred to Ukraine. It was made possible owing to the pleading of the dancer's widow countess Lillan Alefeldt, the Head of Lyfar Foundation, who is thinking of the preservation of the creative enheritance of the choreographer.

The Collection is located in the Department of Arts of Lesya Ukrainka Public Library and numbers 817 items. It is a small part of the large collection Serge Lyfar had been gathering during his life.

The core of Lyfar's collection was the archive of Sergiy Pavlovych Diaghilev which consisted of the collection of theatrical painting and scenery and book collection (about 1000 items). After Diaghilev's death Serge Lyfar in order to preserve the collection acquired it from the France Government for money received as a payment for one year service in Grand Opera. Later the choreographer mentioned that the means for Diaghilev's archive and book collection acquisition he earned by his "legs".

During his life Serge Lyfar had collected one of the most interesting Russian book collections in Europe which contained the ancient books of XVI-XIV cent. The collection included rarities existed in not more than two copies in the world each. As for instance "Chasovnyk" printed in 1564 by the printing pioneer Ivan Fedorov. In the Department of Arts there are ancient printed editions of XVII-XVIII cent., among them "Lexicon Tryjazychnyj" by Fedor Polikarpov ((M., 1704), ed. in 1720, "Oeatron" confiscated by order of the Empress Elizabeth, "Peter the Great Decrees of 1714 through 1725" (1739) are the most valuable.

Of great interest are editions in many volumes of "Monthly Compositions and Proceedings of Scholar issues" from 1755 through 1764 and "Library for Reading" in 85 volumes from 1834 through 1848.

Special place in the collection of Serge Lyfar is occupied by archive materials connected with O.S.Pushkin. In his memoirs "Stradnye gody" (Busy Years) Lyfar wrote "My love to Pushkin has been transformed into the worship". The great interest to Pushkin life and creative work inspired Lyfar to gathering and searching for Pushkin relics. He continued the traditions of book collecting which had captured his teacher S. Diaghilev in the last years of his life. Beginning from 30-s the works by Pushkin and about him were published by Lyfar. "Pushkin Letters to N.N.Goncharova" (1936, introduction by S.Lyfar), Jubilee edition of "Eugene Onegin" (1937, preface by S.Lyfar) and others.

In 1937 the world celebrated the Centennial Anniversary of Pushkin's death. In Paris Lyfar organized great exhibition "Pushkin and his Epoch". The relics from Lyfar collection occupied considerable part of the exhibition. Comprehensive catalogue was published. Pushkin Committee headed by I.Bunin marked Lyfar merits by decorating him with Jubilee Golden Medal.

The pearl of Lyfar's "Pushkiniana" was 10 genuine Pushkin's letters to N.N.Goncharova. These letters had been acquired by Diaghilev from Pushkin's grand-daughter princess S.Torba. After his death they were passed to Lyfar and published by him on the occasion of Pushkin's Jubilee.

Serge Lyfar's collection, transferred to the Lesya Ukrainka Public Library contains 1937 edition of Pushkin's letters to Goncharova. "Pushkiniana" part also contains Jubilee edition of "Eugene Onegin", 1937, "Pushkin" by S.Lyfar (Paris, 1955), "Pushkin's Fiancee and Wife" by M.Gofman (Paris, 1935), Catalogue of the Jubilee Exhibition of 1937, "Centenaire de Pushkine", fundemental works by Serge Lyfar, "My Foreign Pushkiniana. Pushkin's exhibitions and editions" (Paris, 1966).

During the last years of his life Lyfar was forced to sell the major part of his collection. In all, 4 auctions took place by which the collection of theatrical painting and scenery and then the collection of theatrical costumes were sold. At the last auction of "Sotheby's" in 1975 "The library collection of Diaghilev-Lyfar" was displayed for sale. Serge Lyfar was not present at the auctions. It hurt him to watch the selling off the values he had owned for nearly the half of the century.

Lyfar explained the reasons for this decision in his letter to the heirs in 1975: "At the moment I have only a modest pension at my disposal. Maecenases have not honoured me with their attention, I am forced to part with this treasury of the Russian culture, to let go all these books and albums, for them to become the property of historians and libraries".

Fortunately, though only partly, book collection of Serge Lyfar has returned to his Fartherland to his native city. In 1961 Lyfar visited Kyiv where his relatives had been buried. He dreamed of returning again, but serious disease and death prevented him.

Nevertheless, Serge Lyfar's returning to Kyiv did take place. One of the most prestigious international ballet competitions was named after Lyfar and became traditional one. March, 31 - April, 1, 2001 the 5th Ballet Festival "Serge Lyfar de la dance" was held in Kyiv. Serge Lyfar's widow countess Lillan Alefeldt was the honourable guest at the Festival: she presented the city with the book collection of her husband.

Department of Arts of Lesya Ukrainka Public Library gives access to the book collection to every interested patron.

© Lesya Ukrainka Public Library
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