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Bulat Okudzhava's paternal heritage was Armenian, and his maternal heritage was Georgian.
Answer: False
Explanation: Bulat Okudzhava's father was of Georgian descent, and his mother was of Armenian descent. Notwithstanding his parents' diverse heritage, Bulat Okudzhava exclusively utilized Russian for both his spoken and written communication throughout his life.
Notwithstanding his parents' diverse ethnic backgrounds, Bulat Okudzhava exclusively utilized Russian for both his spoken and written communication.
Answer: True
Explanation: Bulat Okudzhava's father was of Georgian descent, and his mother was of Armenian descent. Notwithstanding his parents' diverse heritage, Bulat Okudzhava exclusively utilized Russian for both his spoken and written communication throughout his life.
During the period of the Great Purge, Bulat Okudzhava's father was apprehended and subsequently executed under accusations of Trotskyism.
Answer: True
Explanation: During the Great Purge, Bulat Okudzhava's father, Shalva Okudzhava, was arrested in February 1937, accused of Trotskyism and wrecking, and was executed on August 4th alongside his two brothers.
Bulat Okudzhava's mother was arrested in 1939 for alleged anti-Soviet activities and endured a total of ten years in labor camps prior to her ultimate release.
Answer: False
Explanation: Bulat Okudzhava's mother, Ashkhen Nalbandyan, was arrested in 1939 for alleged anti-Soviet deeds and sent to the Gulag. She was released in 1946 but re-arrested in 1949, enduring an additional five years in labor camps prior to her final release in 1954 and subsequent rehabilitation in 1956, totaling approximately ten years.
Bulat Okudzhava's father, Shalva Okudzhava, was employed under the patronage of Grigol Ordzhonikidze.
Answer: True
Explanation: Bulat Okudzhava's father, Shalva Okudzhava, was employed under the protection and patronage of Grigol Ordzhonikidze, a prominent figure within the Communist Party hierarchy.
What were the ethnic backgrounds of Bulat Okudzhava's parents?
Answer: Father was Georgian, mother was Armenian.
Explanation: Bulat Okudzhava's father was of Georgian descent, and his mother was of Armenian descent.
How did the Great Purge significantly impact Okudzhava's family?
Answer: Both parents were arrested; his father was executed, and his mother was sent to the Gulag.
Explanation: During the Great Purge, Bulat Okudzhava's father was arrested and executed, while his mother was sent to the Gulag.
What is the historical context of the 'sealed train' mentioned in relation to Vladimir Okudzhava?
Answer: A train carrying revolutionary leaders, including Lenin, back to Russia in 1917.
Explanation: The 'sealed train' refers to the historically significant train that conveyed key revolutionary figures, including Vladimir Lenin, from Switzerland back to Russia in 1917; Vladimir Okudzhava, Bulat's uncle, was documented as being among its passengers.
At the age of seventeen, Bulat Okudzhava voluntarily enlisted in the Red Army infantry.
Answer: True
Explanation: At the age of seventeen in 1942, Bulat Okudzhava voluntarily enlisted in the Red Army infantry and engaged in combat against Nazi Germany on the Eastern Front. He received his discharge in 1944.
Following his military discharge in 1944, Okudzhava returned to Tbilisi to complete his secondary education and subsequently graduate from university.
Answer: False
Explanation: Following his military discharge in 1944, Okudzhava returned to Tbilisi, successfully completed his secondary education examinations, and graduated from Tbilisi State University in 1950. He subsequently served as an educator in the Kaluga Region.
Okudzhava's early teaching career was primarily situated in the Kaluga Region, not the city of Moscow.
Answer: False
Explanation: Okudzhava's early teaching career was primarily situated in the Kaluga Region, including the village of Shamordino and the city of Kaluga itself, not Moscow.
At what age and in what capacity did Bulat Okudzhava first serve during World War II?
Answer: At age 17, volunteering for the Red Army infantry.
Explanation: At the age of seventeen in 1942, Bulat Okudzhava voluntarily enlisted in the Red Army infantry and engaged in combat on the Eastern Front.
To which city did Okudzhava return to complete his education and commence his teaching career following the war?
Answer: Tbilisi
Explanation: Following his military discharge, Okudzhava returned to Tbilisi to complete his education and subsequently began his teaching career there before moving to the Kaluga Region.
Okudzhava became a member of the Communist Party subsequent to Stalin's demise and the proceedings of the 20th Party Congress.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following Stalin's demise and the convening of the 20th Party Congress in 1956, which featured Khrushchev's denunciation of Stalin's cult of personality, Okudzhava returned to Moscow and was admitted into the Communist Party.
Okudzhava was a signatory of the 'Letter of Forty-Two,' a document advocating for decisive government action during a period of political transition, rather than hardline communist policies.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Letter of Forty-Two,' signed by Okudzhava, was a public declaration by intellectuals and cultural figures urging decisive governmental action during a period of political transition, not advocating for hardline communist policies.
The 'Letter of Forty-Two,' signed by Okudzhava in October 1993, served as a call for decisive governmental action amidst a period of political transition.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'Letter of Forty-Two,' signed by Okudzhava in October 1993, was a public declaration by intellectuals and cultural figures urging decisive governmental action during a period of significant political transition within the USSR.
What significant political event in 1956 facilitated Okudzhava's return to Moscow and his subsequent integration into literary circles?
Answer: Khrushchev's denunciation of Stalin at the 20th Party Congress
Explanation: The period of de-Stalinization, initiated by Khrushchev's denunciation of Stalin at the 20th Party Congress in 1956, facilitated Okudzhava's return to Moscow and his entry into literary circles.
What was the significance of Okudzhava's signature on the 'Letter of Forty-Two' in October 1993?
Answer: It was a call for decisive government action during a period of political transition.
Explanation: The 'Letter of Forty-Two,' signed by Okudzhava in October 1993, served as a call for decisive governmental action amidst a period of political transition.
What was the principal objective of the 'Letter of Forty-Two' signed by Okudzhava?
Answer: To call for decisive government action during political reforms.
Explanation: The 'Letter of Forty-Two,' signed by Okudzhava, served as a call for decisive governmental action amidst a period of political transition.
What role did *Literaturnaya Gazeta* play in Okudzhava's career subsequent to his return to Moscow?
Answer: He worked there as the head of the poetry division.
Explanation: In Moscow, subsequent to his return from Tbilisi, Okudzhava assumed the position of head of the poetry division at *Literaturnaya Gazeta* ('Literary Newspaper').
Okudzhava commenced composing and performing songs in the late 1940s, typically accompanying himself on a Russian guitar, not a piano.
Answer: False
Explanation: In the mid-1950s, Okudzhava began composing songs and performing them, self-accompanied on a Russian guitar. He did not typically use a piano for accompaniment during this period.
Okudzhava did not tune his Russian guitar to the standard EADGBE tuning; he employed a unique 'Russian tuning'.
Answer: False
Explanation: Okudzhava tuned his Russian guitar to the distinctive 'Russian tuning' of D'-G'-C-D-g-b-d', not the standard EADGBE tuning.
Okudzhava's musical compositions did not typically feature complex jazz chords and progressions; rather, they adhered to specific, often simpler, harmonic structures.
Answer: False
Explanation: A significant number of Okudzhava's songs were composed in C minor, frequently employing specific chord progressions, rather than complex jazz chords and progressions.
By the 1990s, Okudzhava transitioned to utilizing a six-string guitar, adapting his characteristic tuning to this instrument.
Answer: True
Explanation: By the 1990s, Okudzhava adopted the increasingly prevalent six-string guitar, while retaining his signature Russian tuning by omitting the fourth string, thereby accommodating his established playing style.
How did Okudzhava accompany himself when he commenced performing his songs in the mid-1950s?
Answer: On a Russian guitar.
Explanation: In the mid-1950s, Okudzhava began composing songs and performing them, self-accompanied on a Russian guitar.
Okudzhava's tuning for his Russian guitar is characterized as:
Answer: A unique 'Russian tuning' (D'-G'-C-D-g-b-d'), often lowered.
Explanation: Okudzhava tuned his Russian guitar to the distinctive 'Russian tuning' of D'-G'-C-D-g-b-d', often lowering it to suit his vocal range.
Which of the following chord progressions is cited as typical in Okudzhava's compositions in C minor?
Answer: C minor - G7 - E-flat minor or C major
Explanation: A significant number of Okudzhava's songs in C minor frequently employed progressions such as C minor - G7 - E-flat minor or C major.
In the 1990s, how did Okudzhava adapt his approach to musical instrumentation?
Answer: He began using a six-string guitar, adapting his tuning.
Explanation: By the 1990s, Okudzhava adopted the increasingly prevalent six-string guitar, while retaining his signature Russian tuning by omitting the fourth string, thereby accommodating his established playing style.
What specific chord is identified as central to many of Okudzhava's compositions in C minor?
Answer: C minor (X00X011)
Explanation: The C minor chord, denoted as X00X011 from the thickest to the thinnest string, is cited as being central to numerous Okudzhava songs within that key.
Okudzhava primarily identified as a poet, considering his songwriting a secondary artistic pursuit rather than his principal vocation.
Answer: False
Explanation: Bulat Okudzhava principally identified as a poet, viewing his musical endeavors as secondary in significance to his written poetry, despite the immense popularity of his songs.
Okudzhava did not win the Nobel Prize in Literature; his novel *The Show is Over* earned him the Russian Booker Prize.
Answer: False
Explanation: Bulat Okudzhava's novel, *The Show is Over*, earned him the Russian Booker Prize in 1994, not the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Bulat Okudzhava was honored with the USSR State Prize in the year 1991.
Answer: True
Explanation: Bulat Okudzhava was honored with the USSR State Prize in 1991, in addition to other accolades such as the Golden Wreath and the Russian Booker Prize.
Bulat Okudzhava's novel, *The Extraordinary Adventures of Secret Agent Shipov in Pursuit of Count Leo Tolstoy, in the year 1862*, has been translated into the English language.
Answer: True
Explanation: The novel authored by Bulat Okudzhava and subsequently translated into English, which features Count Leo Tolstoy, is titled *The Extraordinary Adventures of Secret Agent Shipov in Pursuit of Count Leo Tolstoy, in the year 1862*.
In 1967, Bulat Okudzhava received the prestigious Golden Wreath award at the Struga Poetry Evenings.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 1967, Bulat Okudzhava was honored with the Golden Wreath award at the Struga Poetry Evenings.
Vladimir Nabokov cited Bulat Okudzhava's song 'Sentimental March' in his novel *Ada or Ardor*.
Answer: True
Explanation: Vladimir Nabokov cited Bulat Okudzhava's song 'Sentimental March' within his novel *Ada or Ardor: A Family Chronicle*.
How did Okudzhava primarily perceive his own artistic identity?
Answer: As a poet, considering his songs secondary.
Explanation: Bulat Okudzhava principally identified as a poet, viewing his musical endeavors as secondary in significance to his written poetry, despite the immense popularity of his songs.
Which novel garnered Bulat Okudzhava the prestigious Russian Booker Prize in 1994?
Answer: *The Show is Over*
Explanation: Bulat Okudzhava's novel, *The Show is Over*, secured him the Russian Booker Prize in 1994.
In addition to the Russian Booker Prize, what other significant award did Okudzhava receive in 1991?
Answer: The USSR State Prize
Explanation: Bulat Okudzhava was honored with the USSR State Prize in 1991, in addition to other accolades such as the Golden Wreath and the Russian Booker Prize.
Which of Okudzhava's novels, translated into English, prominently features Count Leo Tolstoy?
Answer: *The Extraordinary Adventures of Secret Agent Shipov in Pursuit of Count Leo Tolstoy, in the year 1862*
Explanation: The novel authored by Bulat Okudzhava and subsequently translated into English, which features Count Leo Tolstoy, is titled *The Extraordinary Adventures of Secret Agent Shipov in Pursuit of Count Leo Tolstoy, in the year 1862*.
In 1967, Bulat Okudzhava received which international accolade?
Answer: The Golden Wreath at Struga Poetry Evenings
Explanation: In 1967, Bulat Okudzhava was honored with the Golden Wreath award at the Struga Poetry Evenings.
Okudzhava's novel, *The Extraordinary Adventures of Secret Agent Shipov...*, is notable for featuring which historical figure?
Answer: Count Leo Tolstoy
Explanation: Okudzhava's novel, *The Extraordinary Adventures of Secret Agent Shipov in Pursuit of Count Leo Tolstoy, in the year 1862*, is notable for featuring the historical figure Count Leo Tolstoy.
Bulat Okudzhava contributed the lyrics for the song 'Your Honor, Lady Luck' featured in the acclaimed film *White Sun of the Desert*.
Answer: True
Explanation: In the 1970 film *White Sun of the Desert*, Bulat Okudzhava contributed the lyrics for the song titled 'Your Honor, Lady Luck.'
Bulat Okudzhava composed the musical score for the song 'We Need Only One Victory,' featured in the film *Belorussian Station*.
Answer: True
Explanation: Bulat Okudzhava composed the music for the song 'We Need Only One Victory,' featured in the 1970 film *Belorussian Station*.
In the film *Zhenya, Zhenechka and Katyusha*, Okudzhava's contributions extended beyond providing lyrics for a single song, encompassing screenplay input, vocal performances, and a cameo.
Answer: False
Explanation: For the 1967 film *Zhenya, Zhenechka and Katyusha*, Bulat Okudzhava provided lyrics for 'Danish King's Elixir,' contributed to the screenplay, performed vocal parts, and made a cameo appearance as a soldier, indicating contributions beyond just one song's lyrics.
The 1982 film *The Pokrovsky Gate* incorporated Okudzhava's lyrics for notable songs, including 'Sentries of Love' and 'Painters.'
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1982 film *The Pokrovsky Gate* featured lyrics by Bulat Okudzhava for songs such as 'Sentries of Love,' 'Painters,' and 'Ditty About Arbat.'
For which seminal Soviet film did Bulat Okudzhava provide the lyrics for the song 'Your Honor, Lady Luck'?
Answer: *White Sun of the Desert*
Explanation: In the 1970 film *White Sun of the Desert*, Bulat Okudzhava contributed the lyrics for the song titled 'Your Honor, Lady Luck.'
For which film did Bulat Okudzhava compose the music for the song titled 'We Need Only One Victory'?
Answer: *Belorussian Station*
Explanation: Bulat Okudzhava composed the music for the song 'We Need Only One Victory,' featured in the 1970 film *Belorussian Station*.
What specific contributions did Okudzhava make to the 1967 film *Zhenya, Zhenechka and Katyusha*?
Answer: Provided lyrics, contributed to the screenplay, performed vocals, and made a cameo.
Explanation: For the 1967 film *Zhenya, Zhenechka and Katyusha*, Bulat Okudzhava provided lyrics for 'Danish King's Elixir,' contributed to the screenplay, performed vocal parts, and made a cameo appearance as a soldier.
The 1982 film *The Pokrovsky Gate* featured lyrics by Okudzhava for which of the following songs?
Answer: 'Sentries of Love,' 'Painters,' and 'Ditty About Arbat'
Explanation: The 1982 film *The Pokrovsky Gate* featured lyrics by Bulat Okudzhava for the songs 'Sentries of Love,' 'Painters,' and 'Ditty About Arbat.' He also contributed vocal performances within the film.
Bulat Okudzhava passed away in France; however, his final resting place is Moscow's Vagankovo Cemetery.
Answer: True
Explanation: Bulat Okudzhava died in Clamart, France, on June 12, 1997, and is interred in Moscow's Vagankovo Cemetery.
The minor planet designated 3149 Okudzhava was discovered by the Czech astronomer Zdeňka Vávrová.
Answer: True
Explanation: The minor planet designated 3149 Okudzhava, discovered in 1981 by Czech astronomer Zdeňka Vávrová, bears the name of Bulat Okudzhava in his honor.
Bulat Okudzhava's former dacha, located in Peredelkino, has been transformed into a museum accessible to the public.
Answer: True
Explanation: Bulat Okudzhava's dacha, situated in Peredelkino, has been transformed into a museum accessible to the public.
Okudzhava's 1976 performance in East Berlin occurred at the Palace of the Republic, not the Brandenburg Gate.
Answer: False
Explanation: Okudzhava's 1976 performance in East Berlin took place at the Palace of the Republic, not the Brandenburg Gate.
Where is Bulat Okudzhava interred?
Answer: Vagankovo Cemetery in Moscow
Explanation: Bulat Okudzhava died in France but is interred in Moscow's Vagankovo Cemetery.
What is the designation of the minor planet named in honor of Bulat Okudzhava?
Answer: 3149 Okudzhava
Explanation: The minor planet designated 3149 Okudzhava, discovered in 1981, bears the name of Bulat Okudzhava in his honor.
Which of the following is NOT cited as a memorial to Bulat Okudzhava following his passing?
Answer: A posthumous Grammy Award nomination.
Explanation: A monument on Arbat Street, his dacha converted into a museum, and a minor planet named in his honor are cited memorials; a posthumous Grammy Award nomination is not mentioned.