This collective work is the first in Russian science experience of systematic study of the historical avant-garde of the first third of the 20th century. The avant-garde is interpreted here as a holistic cultural phenomenon and is considered on the material of not only world literature, but also various types of art in their interaction. The first book explores the general problems of the avant-garde, the substantive scope of the concept, its boundaries, terminological and conceptual apparatus, asks general methodological principles, asks about the place and role of avant-garde in cultural development. It also presents the main movements, movements, schools of avant-garde: expressionism, futurism, Dadaism, surrealism and constructivism, which determined the main vectors of the development of avant-garde culture.