Vladimir Nabokov

NABOKV-L post 0010900, Wed, 12 Jan 2005 10:29:15 -0800

Subject
Fwd: Re: Theater group namede NABOKOV
Date
Body
Dear Don and List,

As a keen Nabokovian, I am always surprised by these odd uses of a known
name. I am puzzled as to how can one be a Nabokov afficionado, and use the
same name for a theater group, or -why not- a football team or a cat
(without connection with the celebrity).
That reminds me some art galleries or stores in my city using extensively
the name Gauguin. Obviously, the aim is commercial and the way an utter
absurdity.

Seasons greetings,

Alain ANDREU
Institut Louis MALARDE
Papeete
TAHITI

----- End forwarded message -----
EDNOTE. Absurd, maybe. Surprising, no. Apart from purely commercial concerns,
the use of VN-related names gives others a hint of the orientation of the
enterprise---cultural level, who might be interested, etc. There actually two
theater groups with Nabokovian names--the one in England and another group in
Italy. I confess I know a Saint-Petersburg couple who named their cat
"Kinbote."