Moscow: Ekon-Inform Publ., 2011, 272 p.

The series of works published in recent years about Madagascar ¹ has been successfully supplemented by another monograph by the famous researcher of the island-state problems L. A. Kartashova "Madagascar and I", who devoted her entire adult life to the study of the "mysterious country". According to the genre of presentation, the work has the character, on the one hand, of a memoir, and on the other - of a good scientific research, which does not contradict one another, but, on the contrary, is mutually enriching, since scientific conclusions are immediately supported by the author's lively observations and impressions.

¹ See, for example, reviews of the collections of articles "In the mysterious country of Madagascar": Orient (Oriens). 2007. N3; 2010. N6.

The paper has seven sections-chapters: "About history", "Russia and Madagascar", "About religion", "About science and culture", "About literature", "About language", "Travel".

The first section is devoted to the history of the island and its origin. The author notes, in particular, that at the beginning of the XIX century. Madagascar has entered the path of accelerated development. Christianity began to spread, bringing with it the European way of life and Western culture. By the end of the second half of the XIX century. Madagascar has become one of the most developed countries in Africa. An important historical milestone in the history of the island was its accession to the French colonial empire as a result of the French military expedition in 1895-1896.

It is very characteristic, according to the author, that borrowing, mastering and spreading the achievements of European material culture did not cause mass resistance. The distant island was ready to embrace Western values. The result of Westernization was spiritual, political and social development. But it affected, of course, only the elite, the feudal nobility, representatives of the royal administration, and the educated strata of the population, while the overwhelming majority continued the traditional way of life.

A significant part of the first chapter, entitled "On History", is devoted to a detailed description of the life and activities of two historical figures of Madagascar: Rainilayarivuni (1828 - 1896), the first governor, Minister of the Interior, a famous figure of Malagasy culture, and Rainandriamampandri (1836 - 1896), Prime Minister, a skilled politician. Both are people of the same generation, who lived in the same historical era, each of them made a significant contribution to the political, social and cultural development of their country and forever remained in the memory of the peoples of Madagascar.

Rainandriamampandri was awarded a nine-month course created by the Madagascar Center for Diplomatic and Strategic Studies for his services in the diplomatic field, contribution to the development of education, numerous works on culture, history and language, as well as outstanding achievements in military strategy. The first graduation took place on 23 October 2007 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Anusi (Antananarivo). A street in the center of Antananarivo and a college also bear his name. The Association "Duty of Memory and Solidarity: France-Madagascar" decided to erect a stele with the image of Rainandriamampandri and create a "Museum of the XIX century" in memory of him.

Under Rainilayarivuni, the Malagasy state strengthened its military and economic relations and became one of the most developed among African countries. For more than three decades, he held absolute power in the country. The author notes, in particular, that this politician, and "not the queen, was a real monarch. All three rulers (queens. - V. G.), who subordinated their lives and the fate of the country to him, reigned, but did not rule. Being weak individuals and conservative in mind, they were forced to sign progressive laws" (pp. 44-45).

In a separate chapter, unique materials about Russian-Madagascar relations over the past three centuries, starting with the era of Peter the Great, are highlighted. Since the beginning of the 19th century, Russian poets have been turning to the Malagasy theme. Their work had an important influence on the formation of the image of Madagascar in Russia. But the October revolution of 1917 froze the Madagascar theme in Russian politics and literature for a long time. Only in 1972 were diplomatic relations established between the USSR and the Malagasy Republic. The first ambassador of Madagascar to the USSR was Albert Rakutu-Ratsimamanga. Contacts between the two countries were carried out through the Malagasy diplomatic mission in Paris. The ambassador initiated negotiations to conclude a trade agreement and open a Soviet trade mission to Antananarivo. He organized a meeting of President F. Tsiran met with the Soviet Ambassador to France and the delegation of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR during its visit to Madagascar.

In the section devoted to religion, the author notes that the dominant religion on the island is Christianity, and at the same time several churches coexist, where services of various faiths are freely held. The practice of traditional cults is also allowed. Christianity began to spread on the island from the beginning of the XIX century. Among the first priests were the educational missionaries of the London Missionary Society, who arrived in the country in 1818, and in 1868 Protestantism was declared an official religion. Thanks to the work of missionaries, the Malagasy seal was born on the island. Beginning in the 1870s, periodicals were distributed throughout the island.

The author draws valuable observations and conclusions at the end of the section where he writes:: "By the end of the 19th century, two distinct trends were emerging in Malagasy journalism. Some representatives

creative intelligentsia published articles praising Western culture, trying to "civilize" their readers. They were opposed by those who tried to bring the masses out of ignorance, "to cut a window to Europe", not deviating from the traditional Malagasy values and relying on them... The press of the pre-colonial period undoubtedly created the prerequisites for the rapid growth of periodicals that followed at the beginning of the XX century" (p.95).

The section "On Science and Culture" thoroughly traces the activities of the Malagasy Academy, established in 1902, and other research institutions and organizations. In 1993, the Academy was awarded the title of national and officially became the "Malagasy National Academy of Arts, Humanities and Natural Sciences". In 2002, at the Academy's centennial celebrations, the then Prime Minister of Madagascar, Jacques Sylla, said that it "is a bridge connecting Malagasy people with other countries" (p. 112). Many prominent figures from Africa and Asia, scientists from Europe, North and South America were and still are members of the Malagasy Academy. Of the Russians , these are A. A. Gromyko (Department of Moral and Political Sciences), L. A. Korneev and L. A. Kartashova (Department of Arts and Language), N. Kh. Rozov (Department of Fundamental Sciences).

A large place in the monograph is devoted to the fate of Malagasy literature from its inception to the present. Deep research conducted by the author has shown that the roots of Malagasy literature go back to the soil of folk traditions, and the first monuments of written literature date back to the XII century. The publication of books in the country began at the beginning of the XIX century. thanks to the activities of missionaries. The author notes that Malagasy literature was born as a religious one-the authors were pastors or people brought up in mission schools. The birth of such a literary genre as the novella is also connected with the activity of missionaries. Missionaries and other church leaders, seeking greater clarity and clarity, increasingly turned to real-life stories in their literary works.

After Madagascar became a French colony in 1896, the separation of church and state took place, and the promotion of scientific knowledge and secular education began to expand. Schools have introduced the teaching of French and foreign literature. During the first decade of the twentieth century, many secular newspapers and magazines were published. In the process of analyzing the history of the development of literature of this period, the author comes to the conclusion that "the end of the XIX-beginning of the XX centuries are characterized by an intellectual awakening, the development of social thought, and the rise of art. It was a time of mastering the achievements of world culture and the flourishing of Malagasy literature. Newspapers and magazines shaped the worldview of readers, contributed to the creation of intellectuals, introduced readers to the social, cultural and scientific life of European countries" (p.142).

Among the writers, two trends were distinguished: some can be called "Westerners", and others - "traditionalists". The author writes that the latter "joined the secret society of V. V. S., created in 1913 under the ideological leadership of the famous enlightener Raveludzon. It was more a union of young intellectuals who advocated the revival of national identity, rather than a political movement. Nevertheless, the society was crushed in December 1915, and most of its members were arrested" (p.141). In the future, strict censorship paralyzed the further development of literature for a decade.

The author traces the lives and works of the most famous Malagasy poets and writers, such as Jean-Joseph Rabearivelu, Jacques-Felicien Rabemananzari, Clarissa Ratsifandrihamanana, Patrick Andriamangatiana, Dox.

As the author of the Malagasy language textbook, L. A. Kartashova devotes one of the sections of the reviewed monograph to a brief description of its basics, the language policy of the government, and the study of the Malagasy language in Russia. According to the 1992 Constitution, Malagasy is the national language of the country and can be used in science and technology, economics, law, and other fields. Throughout the world, it is considered a living language and continues to be taught in many major countries.

The main sections of the monograph conclude with stories about traveling to and around Madagascar. The apps feature a colorful story about the Friends of Madagascar Club.

Any reader who has read the monograph "Madagascar and I" can not help but be convinced that to write such a book, the author required many years of hard work, extensive, constantly enriched knowledge from various fields of science and human activity, dedication to the chosen path and love for Madagascar.

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