Perception of Oriental cultural and religious realities in travel sketches "Constantinopole" by Pierre Jules Théophile Gautier and "Bird’s Shadow" by Ivan Bunin
The article contains comparative analysis of the artistic expression of the Oriental theme, in particular, Sufi rituals, in the creative work of Ivan Bunin and Théophile Gautier. The aim of the article is to identify the authors’ philosophical and aesthetic views which have influenced their perception of Constantinople and determined the specifics of their depiction of Oriental culture. The author concludes that Constantinople, which is aesthetically different from the Western world, has remained alien for Théophile Gautier. On the contrary, philosophical conceptualisation of the Oriental theme by Ivan Bunin makes Constantinople an integral part of his artistic perceptions.