Reception of Aristotle’s Works “De Animalibus” in Russia (18th – Early 20th Century)

The article is dedicated to the analysis of fragments from the scientific works of Russian authors in 18th – early 20th century, which contain references to Aristotle’s “De Animalibus” texts. The author makes a conclusion about poor research and superficial reception of these Aristotle’s treatises in this period. “De Animalibus” texts didn’t play a big role in Russian culture, having primarily just a historical value.

‘The province…But, indeed, that is Russia!’

“The Imagined Province” investigates the shifts in what the “idea of the province” in the period of world war and the Russian revolution and civil war. I argue that the mental and emotional valence of Russia’s map changed markedly over these nine years as regionalist and provincial pride came into literary culture, urging a fresh view of central Russia outside the capital cities. This change of perspective emerges in essays, stories, and poetry throughout Central Russia, though this article focuses mainly on the Volga Region. Authors of many different political stripes contributed to this shift—among them, regionalists like Evgenii Chirikov and Nikolai Kliuev, pro-revolutionary socialists such as Maksim Gor’kii and Matvei Dudorov, and Bolsheviks like Aleksei Dorogoichenko and Fedor Bogorodskii. As the Bolsheviks regathered Russia, these provincial voices were overpowered by more prominent voices from the center. Nonetheless, they established a “usable history” that remains a substrate of Russian culture even today, challenging the simplistic binary juxtaposing “capital” and “province.”

Parnicki a Rosja. Rekonesans

The article considers issue of the connections between Teodor Parnicki, the Polish author of historical novels, and Russia. His attitude has its origins in biographical experiences. Knowledge of Russian culture is evident especially in the early work of Parnicki, and above all – in literary criticism of the interwar period. Careful reading shows that the sketches and reviews are a conservative critical project, the subject of which is Soviet social and cultural policy and communism in general. This article also complements the current state of research (who did not address this issue), while being a contribution to further research.

Restoration of the silhouette “Emperor Nicholas I and the Cadet Bubnov”

В статье представлено описание реставрации силуэта «Император Николай I и кадет Бубнов», переданного наряду с другими силуэтами в лабораторию научной реставрации графики из отдела истории русской культуры Государственного Эрмитажа. Композиция предмета состоит из бумажного силуэта в рамке золотого цвета, наклеенного на черный глянцевый фон, бумажную и картонную подложки. Данный силуэт передан в реставрацию из-за повреждений, имеющих тенденцию к развитию и неблагоприятных как для состояния сохранности бумаги-основы, так и для красочных слоев. Исследования бумаги позволили выявить визуально незаметный слой свинцовых белил на поверхности силуэта. В процессе реставрации была открыта исторически значимая надпись «Подарок Мейбаумъ 4. 28 августа 1835». Мы можем предположить, что надпись указывает на автора силуэта, воспитанника Первого кадетского корпуса Мейбаума, либо на его родственника, подарившего силуэт. С каждым элементом предмета проведены реставрационные мероприятия. Основная часть работ выполнена над бумажным силуэтом, имеющим не только пятна, но и разрывы вследствие деформации бумажной основы и картона. Особенностями оформления композиции после реставрации является инкапсулирование силуэта в полиэфирную пленку, предотвращающую взаимодействие свинцовых белил с воздухом, и крепление всех элементов конструкции по верхнему краю. После реставрации сохранен авторский замысел: инкапсулированный силуэт на черном глянцевом фоне, окаймленный рамкой золотого цвета, крепится к бумажной подложке. The article presents a description of the restoration of the silhouette “Emperor Nicholas I and the Cadet Bubnov” which was transferred along with other silhouettes to the Laboratory for Scientific Restoration of Graphics from the Department of the History of Russian Culture of the State Hermitage Museum. The composition of the subject consists of a paper silhouette in a gold frame, pasted on a glossy black background, paper and cardboard backings. This silhouette was handed over for restoration due to damages that tended to develop and were unfavorable both for the state of preservation of the base paper and for the paint layers. The paper studies made it possible to reveal a visually imperceptible layer of lead white on the silhouette surface. During the restoration process, the historically significant inscription “Gift of Meibaum 4. August 28, 1835” was discovered. We can assume that the inscription points to the author of the silhouette, a student Meibaum studied in the First Cadet Corps, or to his relative who donated the silhouette. Restoration procedures have been carried out with each element of the object. The main part of the work has been done on a paper silhouette, which had not only spots, but also tears due to the deformation of the paper support and cardboard. The features of the composition design after restoration are the encapsulation of the silhouette in a polyester film, which prevents the interaction of lead white with air, and the fastening all structural elements along the upper edge. After the restoration the author's idea has been kept: the encapsulated silhouette on a black glossy background, bordered by the golden frame, is attached to a paper backing.

The Motive of Peace in the Works of B. Pasternak and M. Bulgakov

The concept of peace entered into Russian culture from the Bible and became its important spiritual tradition. With the development of secular literature, peace has gradually come out of the sacred field and become the significant aesthetic concept rich in connotation. In their works, Pasternak and Bulgakov reflect on the peace in the field of existence and art, especially the ontological value of family and love, thoughts about history, death and creativity. The concept of memory plays an important role in the artistic world of the two writers. Bulgakovs and Pasternaks books are testimony to rebirth and immortality, which is the way they participate in the sacred cause. The paper analyzes the place and role of the motive of peace in the novels of B. Pasternak Doctor Zhivago and M. Bulgakov The Master and Margarita in their similarities and differences. In this regard, the images of the house, music, creativity as the focus of the artists world are compared, the typological related figures of the beloved muse and the savior are considered, the specificity of the disclosure of the theme of immortality in creativity is noted.

Peter the Great in the historiosophy of Vasily Rozanov

The article is in the problematic field of the historiosophy of Russian culture. In understanding the essence of historiosophy, the author of the article focuses on the deontology by Nikolai Kareev and the “passionarity” theory of Lev Gumilyov. In addition, the works of contemporary researchers of Russian historiosophy are involved. The texts of Vasily Rozanov, associated with his understanding of the personality of Peter the Great, the first Emperor’s place and role in Russian history. In choosing Vasily Rozanov’s texts, the author of the article uses a chronological method, a way to present V. Rozanov’s historiosophical views in development. In addition, the historical and cultural method is used to explain the essence of the meanings of historical phenomena, sometimes their inconsistency. The article notes that for the first time Vasily Rozanov turns to the personality of Peter the Great in his philosophical treatise “On Understanding”, where he points to the originality of Peter I and inscribes him in world history. It turns out that in the articles of the 1890s, Vasily Rozanov discovers in Peter I a person who brings suffering to the country and at the same time sincerely loves it. In a special article about Peter I and later in “Fallen Leaves”, Vasily Rozanov reveals the most significant ideals realised by the Emperor. In his final work, Vasily Rozanov emphasises the need for Peter I and, at the same time, the tragic consequences of his reforms for the country. As a result, the author of the article comes to the conclusion that Peter the Great is the alpha and the omega of Vasily Rozanov’s historiosophical views.

MIKHAIL FREIDENBERG AND HIS FAMILY: THE ODESSA TRACE IN RUSSIAN CULTURE

Research traditions that have developed in relation to certain cultural phenomena are often limited by the framework of national cultures, the specifics of the studied personality and its creative activity. At the same time, the cultural and social demands underlying these studies do not actually imply the conversion of the identified cultural values from one national (cultural) tradition to another. Thus, it is unlikely that representatives of border territories, as well as territories that had actual ex-territoriality and freedom to choose cultural identification, can give in to an unambiguous definition of cultural identity. Odessa was good example of it. Here the marginality of the frontier cultural zone created its own unique cultural topos, with its “mixed” identity, for which the territorial, ethnic, cultural and linguistic boundaries were not absolute, were mobile, created conditions for the formation of seemingly contradictory ideas about the “eastern West”, about “imperial Jewishness”, “Jewish Russianity”, etc. For the Jewish citizen of Odessa, the national (Jewish) or imperial (Russian) component played a great role. The internal contradictions that exist in these identification models were either resolved in favor of one of the models, or removed due to the local identification model provided by the immediate environment, which we called the environment. In this article, we would like to show this environmental influence through the personality of Mikhail Filippovich Freidenberg, who is known to historians of science and technology as an inventor, but little known to literary historician (mainly as the father of Olga Mikhailovna Freidenberg and the uncle of Boris Leonidovich Pasternak). In our opinion, the description of the artistic and journalistic, as well as satirical works of Mikhail Freidenberg deserves attention. With his name, the intellectual environment of Odessa at the end of the XIX century takes on a holistic appearance, at the same time exposing the problem of “intellectual crowding” of the imperial province. The phenomenon of the environment is conceptualized by the example of the family of Mikhail Freidenberg and relations with relatives, as well as by describing the influence of this environment on Russian culture in the late XIX – first half of the XX century through the formation of the personalities of Olga Freidenberg and Boris Pasternak. It is important to overcome disciplinary boundaries and show how the environment promotes the realization of creative opportunities and how it sets these opportunities. We do it based on the available biographical data, memoirs, diaries and other documents.

Świadomość językowa, troska o język polski i zainteresowania językoznawcze Elizy Orzeszkowej w świetle jej korespondencji

The raw material for this article came from the nine volume edition of letters written by Orzeszkowa to her friends, acquaintances, publishers etc. The authors reveal and review the authoress’ statements concerning her own literary works and the language used to translate them, while also discussing the meticulousness of proofreaders and Orzeszkowa’s mastery of foreign languages. Other issues include the writer’s attitude to the Russian language, Russian culture and Russification of Poles, her role in defending of the Polish spirit and promoting the Polish language, her opinions on other writers and their language, statements about the Linde dictionary, interests in botanical nomenclature, mentions of north Borderlands Polish dialect, reflections on the correctness of specific language facts, contacts with eminent philologists and linguists.

Individual Responsibility for the Common Cause? Everyday Preservationism in the Interwar Russian Émigré Newsmagazine Illyustrirovannaya Rossiya

This article considers the approach of the popular Russian émigré newsmagazine Illyustrirovannaya Rossiya [Illustrated Russia] to so-called preservationism — simply put, the tendency to preserve prerevolutionary Russian culture in exile. More specifically, this article studies preservationism in the everyday life of the Russian interwar diaspora. Due to its long run, broad scope, and large readership, the magazine is a unique and invaluable document, offering significant insight into the social and cultural life of Russian émigrés. In order to gain an understanding of preservationism in Illyustrirovannaya Rossiya, a close reading of the periodical will be conducted, centred around questions such as whether the magazine covered any aspects of prerevolutionary Russian culture at all, and, if so, which and how? Focusing on three key elements of Illyustrirovannaya Rossiya’s editorial content, this article demonstrates that preservationism in popular and everyday culture as presented in this periodical differs markedly from its high-culture counterpart (such as highbrow literature and visual arts, for example). What stands out in Illyustrirovannaya Rossiya’s approach is that prerevolutionary Russian life and culture are rarely covered and, more importantly, never truly glorified. Instead, coverage of the Russian émigré community itself makes up a central part of the magazine’s content. When it comes to preserving Russian culture and identity, Illyustrirovannaya Rossiya pleads for finding a middle ground between preserving the home culture and adapting to the host culture. In doing so, the magazine frequently stresses readers’ individual responsibility to seek connection with their Russian identity instead of relying on leading émigré figures and institutions.

Oriental Elements of Russian Folk Speech and Folklore

This study analyses the Eastern character of the Russian folklanguage and folklore which connected whith the character of national mentality. The cultural contacts of Russian people with the Turkish and Finno-Ugrian people in the Volga basin were presented by N. S.Troubetzkoy (1927) who formed the new theory-from Russian culture. Our scientific investigation of the Russian folklanguage and folklore is motivated by the works, which demonstrated the insufficiency of this domain. The results of our comparative investigation prove the Eastern traits of Russian folklanguage and folklore, namely, we discovered the parallel structures in the Eastern languages and folklore.