It just so happened that a feuilletonist is a profession that only a few are able to master. After all, this work requires from the writer not only the competent use of words, but also the ability to subtly manipulate the image. Alas, such criteria lead to the fact that only the most gifted authors write in the feuilleton genre.
But let's talk a little more about who a feuilletonist is: is he a satirist writer or, maybe, a malicious upstart critic? Or maybe it's a poet? Well, okay, let's not torment the expectation and get down to business.
Meaning of the word "feuilletonist"
The name of this profession is inextricably linked with such a literary genre as feuilleton. That is, a feuilletonist is just the same writer working in this direction. At the same time, it should be noted that stories written in this genre are most often published on the pages of news newspapers or magazines.
The word feuilleton itself comes from the French feuille, which translates into Russian as "leaf" or "leaf". However, inin the literary sense, this term means a short satirical story, essay or article.
The birth of the genre
The arrival of the 19th century brought great changes to France. They affected both the political and cultural life of the country. Therefore, it is not surprising that it was during this period that the French newspaper Journal des Débats decided on a bold experiment. So, along with the main publication, they began to issue additional leaflets, which covered the cultural life of the country.
Innovation liked the readers of the newspaper. Therefore, soon leaflets (feuilletons) began to be printed along with the main block of news. But, it's true, they were separated from the main content by a break line, so as not to embarrass old-fashioned critics. As for the content of the feuilletons, it was very diverse. Thus, the most popular sections were devoted to reviews of theatrical productions, puzzles, crossword puzzles, poems and even announcements.
Growing popularity of feuilleton in Russia
In 1820, the Russian newspaper Vestnik Evropy published its first feuilleton for the first time. It was devoted to a review of books that had just begun to gain their popularity among the intelligentsia of Tsarist Russia. And soon this genre firmly settled on the pages of all newspapers published in the vastness of our great country.
The modern feuilletonist is…
Over the years, the feuilleton genre has undergone major changes. From a cultural observer, he turned into a kind of satire. That is, all workswritten in this style are aimed at criticizing a certain social phenomenon (drunkenness, greed, corrupt politicians, and so on) in a special humorous style.
So, a modern feuilletonist is a satirist journalist. And he should not only express his thoughts beautifully, but also be able to draw funny images. And this is really hard work, because humor is not the lot of many writers. Especially when it comes to finely crafted jokes that are appropriate in any society.
Given this, it is easy to guess that the profession of a feuilletonist is unique. Moreover, it would be more correct to say that this is rather a vocation than a desire to earn or become famous. And therefore, everyone who has mastered this genre truly deserves universal respect.
