On March 28, 2026, the seventh lecture of the "Myths about Tolstoy" series will be held at the L. N. T. Cultural and Exhibition complex (Tula, Metallistov St., 25). Elena Gorbyleva, an employee of the development department of the Yasnaya Polyana Museum, will tell you how the figure of the great father influenced the sons of Leo Tolstoy, who lived to adulthood.
At the lecture "Tolstoy's Sons: The Spoils of Fate?"Let's trace the main stages of the life of Lev Nikolaevich's sons: childhood, growing up, marriage, emigration. Did they share his beliefs, what did they argue with him about, and what memories did they leave? We will also try to answer the question: is having such a father a privilege or a burden? "The idea of Leo Tolstoy's sons as "playthings" and untalented nobles is a superficial judgment. If you add up their contributions – memoirs, the fight against hunger, literary and artistic works – the image of multi-talented, sympathetic people emerges. They did not become "direct followers" of their father, but who could surpass the genius, artist, moralist and philosopher?" asks Elena Gorbyleva.
"The idea of Leo Tolstoy's sons as "playthings" and untalented nobles is a superficial judgment. If you add up their contributions – memoirs, the fight against hunger, literary and artistic works – the image of multi-talented, sympathetic people emerges. They did not become "direct followers" of their father, but who could surpass the genius, artist, moralist and philosopher?" asks Elena Gorbyleva.
Personal belongings of Tolstoy's sons will be shown at the lecture. Among them are the manuscript of Sergei Lvovich's "Golitsyn Waltz"; Ilya Lvovich's cowberry; pictures that his younger brother Vanechka cut out and presented to Lev Lvovich; Andrei Lvovich's open letter addressed to Sofya Andreevna Tolstoy and Mikhail Lvovich's musical notation.
The lecture starts at 15:00. The duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Age limit: 6+
