Metaphisic of Boundary Spaces: The Bolshoi Solovetsky Island in the Letters of Father Pavel Florensky (1934–1937)

Father Pavel Florensky's letters from Bolshoi Solovetsky Island (1934–1937) reveal the island as a unique 'boundary space'—a microcosm and macrocosm where existence, time, and meaning intersect. His reflections depict it as a liminal zone between being and non-being, nature and existence, while his experiences of temporal distortion and existential emptiness elevate this setting to a tragic metaphor for life's perversion. The island emerges as both a world center (ecumene) and a space of profound semiotic significance, embodying Florensky's philosophical vision of unity between man and the universe. This analysis underscores how physical isolation materializes internal discord, reinforcing ancient wisdom about mutual reflection in existence.

Kulikov, M. V. (2025). Metaphisic of Boundary Spaces: The Bolshoi Solovetsky Island in the Letters of Father Pavel Florensky (1934–1937). The Bulletin of Irkutsk State University. Series Political Science and Religion Studies, 52, 154–163. https://doi.org/10.26516/2073-3380.2025.52.154