Askerbi Shortanov

Born Oct. 3 (16), 1916, in the village of Anuzorovka, now the village of Lesken II, Urvan’ Raion, Kabarda-Balkar ASSR. Soviet Kabardin writer. Honored Art Worker of the Kabarda-Balkar ASSR (1939); Honored Art Worker of the RSFSR (1971). Member of the CPSU since 1941.

Shortanov studied at the State Institute of Theatrical Arts from 1934 to 1936. He was first published in 1939. His main theme is the history of the Kabardins and their life in the Soviet period. Shortanov is the author of the historical novel The Mountaineers (1954; Russian translation, 1967); the chronicle-like novel Betal Kalmykov (1968; Russian translation under the title Always in the Saddle, 1970), which deals with the Civil War hero of that name; and the plays Aul Batyr (staged 1939) and When The Light Breaks (published 1947; Russian translation, 1950), which deals with life in a kolkhoz village. His play The Party’s Envoy (published 1961) was staged in 1967.

Shortanov is a well-known folklorist. He has been awarded five orders and various medals. Shortanov’s works have been translated into many languages of the USSR.