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# Valentin Berestov's poem about what Pushkin did not know
- URL: https://theparnassian.com/en/pushkinovedenie/
- Published: 2023-03-24T15:31:46.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-02T19:00:34.000Z
- Author: Alexandr Radayev
- Tags: Books, Ethnography, Humour

Pushkin Studies.

What was there that great Pushkin never knew?  
He never knew a single chastushka,  
Never saw a single matryoshka  
In her lacquered little dress.  
The birch as the symbol of Rus'  
He never called, God forbid.  
In his day it was not suited  
To that role. It was what they flogged with.

*Literal translation*

*Valentin Berestov (1928-1998)*