'RUSSKAIA MYSL' AND POLISH AFFAIRS IN THE EIGHTIES OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY Cover Image

„RUSSKAJA MYŚL” W KRĘGU SPRAW POLSKICH W LATACH OSIEMDZIESIĄTYCH XIX WIEKU
'RUSSKAIA MYSL' AND POLISH AFFAIRS IN THE EIGHTIES OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY

Author(s): Andrzej Rejowski
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Studies of Literature, Philology
Published by: Uniwersytet Adama Mickiewicza

Summary/Abstract: Towards the end of the nineteenth century the periodical “Russkaia Mysl” had become one of the chief popularizer of Polish literature in Russia. It also started an energetic campaign for wider self-governing rights for the Polish population within the Russian monarchy. In the extremely difficult circumstances caused by pressure on the part of there actionary circles the programme of the periodical was an act of great courage which met with numerous attacks on the part of the Russian conservatists. Out of three possible pro Polish policies, i.e. denationalization, full independence, or a wide national autonomy the editors postulated the latter as the most realistic and fully attainable within the Russian monarchy. Thus they postulated fredom for Polish national initiatives, preservation of the Polish language and culture, freedom for the press, access to schools and posts in the administration, a Polish university in Warsaw, etc. In spite of the fact that Po­land’s independence was thus being indefinitely postponed these postulates constitutedan important step towards bringing the two nations together. The liberal editors of “Russkaia Mysl”, particularly Y.M. Lavrov and V.A. Golcev showed great friendliness and sympathy with the cause of Polish independence and aimed at a speedy turn in the unfavourable atmosphere in Russia after 1863. This was particularly noticeable in thepopularization of Polish literature by the periodical. Assuming that Polish literature was almost unknown in Russia they started with the great romantics. They published translations of four books from „Pan Tadeusz” , “Ode to Youth ”, and the sketch “Rome” by Adam Mickiewicz, the leading poet of this period. In an extensive article L. Polonski discussed patriotism and artistic values in Juliusz Slowacki’s works. From among the positivists E . Orzeszkowa’s works were highly appreciated for their engagement in social problems. Articles were written in defence of Henryk Sienkiewicz who became a subject of strong polemics in the Russian press. L. Kondratowicz-W. Syrokomla, J.I. Kraszewski, Zygmunt Miłkowski (T.T. Jeż), and other Polish writers, were also mentioned with appreciation. Thus in the journalism of the eighties of the nineteenth century “Russkaia Mysl” contributed greatly towards clearing away the prejudices which had accumulated over centuries between the two nations.

  • Issue Year: 1/1970
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 59-77
  • Page Count: 19
  • Language: Polish