Viktor Goliavkin Writer, artist. Date of Birth: 31.08.1929 Country: Azerbaijan

Biography of Viktor Golyavkin

Viktor Golyavkin was born on August 31, 1929, in Baku, in a family of music teachers. He completed his studies at the Art School in Dushanbe with honors on June 22, 1953. He then went on to graduate from the I.E. Repin Institute of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture (Academy of Arts) with a specialization in theatrical and decorative painting.

Golyavkin is known as a writer and artist. He is a non-party member and did not participate in the war. On November 28, 1961, he became a member of the Union of Writers of the USSR. In 1973, he became a member of the Union of Artists of the USSR, specifically in the graphic section.

His first literary publication was a story called "How a Difficult Question Was Solved," which was published in May 1958 in the magazine "Koster." His first book of stories, "Notebooks in the Rain," was published in 1959 by the publishing house "Detgiz." In 1968, he released his first book of stories for adults called "Hello to You, Birds!" through Lenizdat. Golyavkin occasionally illustrated his own books for children.

His books, which include stories, novellas, and novels, were published by various publishers including "Children's Literature," "Soviet Writer," Lenizdat, and Moscow publishing houses. Golyavkin's favorite genre is the short humorous story.

"...Victor Golyavkin has written numerous stories that bear the individual imprint of his bright and cheerful talent, firmly establishing himself among the ranks of those prose writers who can be quickly recognized by their original phrases, unique intonations, and characteristic rhythm of writing. But perhaps Golyavkin's main achievement is his natural and legitimate immersion in the world of children, with his genuine surprise and imagination, paradoxical logic and sharp reactions, purity of motives and cunning - all of this is inherent to the writer and can be found in his books" (I. Kuzmichev). Some of Golyavkin's works have been adapted into popular films, such as "Valka - Ruslan and His Friend Sanka" and "My Good Dad."

Golyavkin has participated in art exhibitions, starting with the International Exhibition in Moscow in 1957. His works have been showcased in various exhibitions, including the 1975 First All-Russian Exhibition of Book Graphics at the Union of Artists and the 1980s exhibition "Painting of Graphic Artists" at the Union of Artists of the RSFSR, where six of his paintings were displayed and later acquired by the State Russian Museum. In 1990, he had a solo exhibition of his paintings at the House of Writers, among others. In 1996, he was accepted as a member of the Russian PEN Club.

Among his friends, Golyavkin mentions artists such as Tair Salahov, Toghrul Narimanbekov, Oleg Tselkov, Mikhail Kazansky, and the late Minas Avetisyan.