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Comrades, we are sending your application to the Congress...

Manuscript

Author

Author André Breton
People cited Ilya Ehrenbourg, André Gide, René Lely, André Breton, Paul Éluard, Georges Hugnet

Description

Sponsored by the AEAR [the Association of Revolutionary Writers and Artists], on 20 April 1935, Breton sent his application and that of the group to the International Congress of Writers for the Defence of Culture, which was to be held at the end of June. An acknowledgement of receipt dated 24 April was attached to the application, clearly stating that Breton would be speaking at the Congress. From the outset, this support was critical, with Breton commenting rather harshly on the plan of action that had appeared in the April issue of Commune. This wariness, which was clearly reciprocal, came to a head at the Congress in a spectacular fashion: we know the dramatic chain of events that eventually led to Crevel's suicide, from Breton slapping Ehrenburg’s face to the Stalinist pressure to prevent him from speaking. Two letters from Breton, dated 21 June, voice his protest against the censorship to which he was subjected.

Manuscript of membership of Contre-attaque (two pages).

Two drafts of protest letters.

A probable reply to André Breton's letter, signed René Lely [?]. For Contre-Attaque.