Ivan Delazari is studying William Faulkner’s dialogue with his readership
OXFORD, Miss. – Leisure and travel are the norm during the holidays, but Ivan Delazari has little time for either this year. As a 2009-10 Fulbright Scholar to the University of Mississippi, the visiting professor in the UM Department of English is consumed with completing his research on William Faulkner’s dialogue with his readership.
Delazari traveled thousands of miles from his home in St. Petersburg, Russia, in August to pursue his studies on the subject. His six-month grant ends in mid-February.
“Reading is about all I’m doing here,” said Delazari, an associate professor in the literary history department at St. Petersburg State University. “When I was en route to Oxford, I knew the library would be where I would spend most of my time.”
Delazari said he is fascinated by the enormous volume of Faulkner materials found in the university’s libraries and special collections.
“Because of the Faulkner Studies collection and Rowan Oak, this was always my first choice when applying for the big Fulbright scholarship,” he said. “Since I’ve been here, I haven’t been disappointed. I feel like I could stay here forever.”
Delazari is among some 1,250 foreign scholars who received Fulbright grants this year to study in the United States. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and assisted by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars, the Fulbrights offer opportunities for recent graduates, postgraduate candidates, and developing professionals and artists to conduct career-launching study and research abroad.
Though his research occupies most of Delazari’s time and energy, he has made time to visit several classes and has presented brief lectures to several of them.
“I was quite surprised and amazed by the differences between how professors here approach Faulkner compared to the way professors in Russia do the same,” Delazari said. “Here, Faulkner is seen as more connected to the local community. In my country, he seems to be more respected as the literary giant he was.”
UM English faculty members say Delazari’s presence and perspectives have enhanced their own instruction.
“Ivan is a very smart Russian Faulkner scholar who also added a lot to my senior-level literary theory class, which he attended faithfully and once partially taught,” said Douglas Robinson, UM professor of English and director of the First Year Writing English program. The two met online and began corresponding via email before meeting in person upon his arrival. “I wish we could hire him here!”
When he returns to Russia at the end of February, Delazari said he plans to resume his teaching duties at St. Petersburg State. He expressed the desire to incorporate his Faulkner research into classes there as early as fall 2010.
Delazari also said he plans to write more than one book on Faulkner based upon the data gathered during his time at Ole Miss.
“I’m working on ideas for three or four books,” he said. “I’m trying not to limit myself to Faulkner, but there is so much information about him that it’s difficult not to do so.”
The U.S. Congress created the Fulbright Program in 1946. It has provided more than 275,000 participants, chosen for their leadership potential, with the opportunity to observe each others’ political, economic and cultural institutions, exchange ideas and embark on joint ventures of importance to the general welfare of the world’s inhabitants.