# Daniil Kharms

> Russian writer (1905–1942)

**Wikidata**: [Q266127](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q266127)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniil_Kharms)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/daniil-kharms

## Summary
Daniil Kharms (1905–1942) was a Russian writer, poet, and playwright known for his avant-garde works and association with the OBERIU collective. His absurdist and satirical writing, spanning prose, drama, and children's literature, left a lasting mark on 20th-century Russian literature.

## Biography
- **Born**: 1905 (Russian Empire)
- **Nationality**: Russian
- **Education**: Saint Peter's School (secondary school in Russia, founded 1709)
- **Known for**: Avant-garde literature, absurdist prose, and contributions to the OBERIU movement
- **Employer(s)**: OBERIU (avant-garde collective, founded 1927)
- **Field(s)**: Writing (prose, poetry, drama), satire, children's literature, science fiction

## Contributions
Daniil Kharms produced a diverse body of work across multiple genres, including:
- **Prose and Poetry**: Wrote absurdist and satirical texts, often characterized by dark humor and existential themes.
- **Drama**: Authored plays that challenged traditional narrative structures, aligning with the OBERIU movement's experimental approach.
- **Children's Literature**: Contributed to literature for young audiences, blending whimsy with philosophical undertones.
- **Science Fiction**: Explored speculative themes in his writing, though his work in this genre is less documented.
- **OBERIU Collective**: As a key member, he helped shape the group's avant-garde performances and literary output (founded 1927).

## FAQs
**What was Daniil Kharms' real name?**
Daniil Kharms was born Daniil Ivánovich Yuvachev (or Yuvachov), using "Kharms" as a pseudonym.

**What literary movements was Kharms associated with?**
He was a central figure in OBERIU, an avant-garde collective active in the late 1920s and 1930s, known for its absurdism and experimental performances.

**Did Kharms write for children?**
Yes, he authored children's literature, though his works for young audiences often carried the same surreal and philosophical qualities as his adult writing.

**What happened to Kharms during the Soviet era?**
He lived and worked under the Soviet Union (1922–1991) but faced censorship due to his unconventional style. His work was largely unpublished during his lifetime.

**Is there anything named after Kharms?**
Yes, the asteroid 6766 Kharms is named in his honor.

## Why They Matter
Daniil Kharms' work redefined Russian avant-garde literature, blending absurdism, satire, and existential inquiry. His influence extends to modern experimental writing, inspiring later generations of poets, playwrights, and performance artists. Without his contributions, the OBERIU movement would lack its sharpest satirical edge, and Russian literature might have missed a critical voice of dissent during the Soviet era.

## Notable For
- Founding member of the OBERIU avant-garde collective (1927).
- Pioneering absurdist and satirical prose in Russian literature.
- Writing across genres: poetry, drama, children's literature, and science fiction.
- Posthumous recognition, with works gaining acclaim decades after his death.
- Namesake of asteroid 6766 Kharms.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Daniil Kharms was born in 1905 in the Russian Empire. He attended Saint Peter's School, a historic secondary institution founded in 1709, which shaped his early intellectual development.

### Literary Career and OBERIU
Kharms began his writing career around 1925, quickly becoming a key figure in the OBERIU collective (founded 1927). The group, based in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), rejected traditional literary forms, embracing absurdism, performance art, and linguistic experimentation. Kharms' work—spanning prose, poetry, and drama—exemplified these principles, often featuring dark humor and existential themes.

### Genres and Works
- **Prose and Poetry**: His writing defied conventional narrative, employing fragmented structures and surreal imagery.
- **Drama**: His plays challenged theatrical norms, aligning with OBERIU's performative ethos.
- **Children's Literature**: Though lesser-known, his children's stories retained his signature wit and philosophical depth.
- **Satire and Science Fiction**: He explored speculative and satirical themes, though these works were less prominent in his oeuvre.

### Soviet Context and Legacy
Kharms lived under the Soviet Union, where his unconventional style clashed with state-approved socialist realism. His works were rarely published during his lifetime, and he died in 1942. Posthumously, his reputation grew, influencing later avant-garde movements and earning him a place in global literary history. The asteroid 6766 Kharms, named in his honor, reflects his enduring cultural impact.

### Key Relationships
- **OBERIU**: His affiliation with this collective defined his career, linking him to other experimental artists of the era.
- **Saint Peter's School**: His education at this institution grounded his early literary aspirations.

Kharms' legacy lies in his fearless subversion of literary norms, making him a pivotal figure in 20th-century Russian avant-garde literature.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. jeugdliteratuur.org
4. The Fine Art Archive
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. CiNii Research
7. Virtual International Authority File
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10. Writers of St. Petersburg. XX century
11. ProDetLit
12. IMDb
13. SNAC
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15. Babelio
16. filmportal.de
17. BD Gest'
18. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
19. Russian literature of the 20th century. Volume 3, 2005
20. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
21. [Source](http://www.ubu.com/sound/harms.html)
22. BBC Things
23. LIBRIS. 2012
24. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute
25. performing-arts.ch
26. Media Library for Dance and Theatre