Solomon Mikhoels in Memoirs: Aaron Steinberg – Khaim Vovsi

The article considers the phenomenon of Solomon Mikhoels (Solomon Vovsi, 1890 -1948), the renowned Jewish actor and director. This study is based on a comparative analysis of two memoir ego-documents: the memoirs of his twin brother, Khaim Vovsi and those of the philosopher – Aaron Steinberg. The analysis employs a biographical and cultural-historical approach tailored to the specific characteristics of ego-documents, as well as the structural-semiotic analysis. The two memoir texts under study uncover unique facts of Solomon Mikhoels’ biography and personality, particularly related to his childhood and adolescence. They highlight factors that shaped his creativity, perception of theatre, and contributions to the Jewish theatrical tradition. Although both texts focus on the same biographic period, they discuss entirely different facts; this testifies to the subjectivity of selection and the work of memory mechanism. The comparative approach allows to consider the specific structure of ego-documents, which combine personal memories and elements of the “inclusion” of collective memory.