Ruslan and Ludmila

Interesting Facts

• The poem begins with the famous introduction «By the seashore a green oak stands», which has become one of the most recognizable fragments of Russian literature.
• The main character, Ruslan, embarks on a perilous journey to save his beloved Ludmila, kidnapped by the evil sorcerer Chernomor.
• The poem features elements of Russian folklore, such as magical creatures, enchanted objects, and mystical events.
• One of the antagonists is Chernomor, a dwarf with a long beard possessing magical powers.
• The poem was written in the style of a romantic epic, which was innovative for Russian literature at the time.
• The work combines elements of heroic epic, fairy tale, and romantic poetry.
• The poem was first published in 1820 and immediately attracted the attention of critics and readers.
• Alexander Pushkin began working on the poem when he was only 18 years old.
• The work had a significant impact on the development of Russian literature and became a classic.