DOCSLIB.ORG

Transformations of Lithuanian Historical Discourse

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Transformations of Lithuanian Historical Discourse Algis Kalėda The Present of Past Things: Transformations of Lithuanian Historical Discourse ŁifnwaniaM Akfoncaf dkcowrse wai lAaped 6/ naffonaf rracfifio»^ frenda m wor/d/ifera(wre, antf oko, wMcfowbWfy, concrefe coMfffffoMiprevafenf m me focfefy of fAe (mie. TTiis arfkfe aim* fo prwenf a diac/ironic f/McnroMic ana/yik o/UfAwanicn Akforfcaf Mferafwre (/ir*ffy, fAe , ana" fo «fkcwn fAe primary yeafwre* 0/ fAk arfkfk paradigm. TTie LifAwanfan geopofifkaf iffwaffon befweem fAe Eaif (RwMia»^ ofAer Eaffem Sfaw) and fAe VW»f fPo/ef, GermaMi^ k a conafanf focwf 0/ LffAwanfan ffferafwre, wi'rA a mwffłfwde 0/ variation; fo fA» day. 7» fiferafwre wnffe» befween fAe fwo Wbr/d War; (19:8-1940^ fAere was aM empAafk on nafionaf origins, wAicA spurred fAe pwbfic fo fakepndg iM fAefr Akfory mfAowf aM/ reiervafiom; fAk waf greaffy :n/7wenced by fAe ce/ebrafiOM 0/ fAe goo year aMMiversary 0/ V^fawfa$, fAe Grand Dw&e o/L(fAwan(a. m 19jo and fAe /ifemry confeff aMMoimced/br fAe occasion. Temporaf peopecfive aid* in fAe recognffion and revefafion 0/ many new modi/icafions 0/ Akforkkm, cAaracferkfic 0/ fiferafwre creafed offer ipgo. The cAaracferkffc* 0/ confemporary Akforickm ore: m'sfon'osopAic origins fa confiderafion o/what might have been^, gwasi-archeological documeMfad'on, witness (pfay/wf) coffage, and ironic dkfance. TAe arfkfe di'scwsses woriü by wrifers fwcA a$ Vinca* Piefark, Anfanas Wenwofk, /woz« KrafitaiwW, Pefra* Dirgė/a, Gfnfara* BeresneviYiws, and ofAe». 116 Algis Kalėda 77me, o» (Ae o(ker/wW, » nevgroffprwMf a( once. T&epaü k afwayj «fnv o» by f/ie/wrure, (Ae/w(wre a/wa/f/öffoiw on (Ag Wk o/(Aepa;(, and bo(/i hep<w( OM(f (fie/w(wrr fiave (heir kginnfng on«f (fzeir end in (Af ekrmaf pre*en(. Tfonfy men) miwf* cow W be seized awf heW jd'ff/ Tkey wowM *ee Aow e(enn'(/ m w/uch (fierg w M«i(figrf<w( nor/ufwre, JefermiM« bo(7ip<w( and/wlwre (:'me St. Augustine' I The topic of history in Lithuanian literature has been permanently established as a constituent part of our cultural consciousness, more intensive during some periods of our nation's existence and rather trivial, schematicandaßectedbydistortingideologiesduringothers. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most essential layers of ideas and topics intertwined with the nation's existence, often facing the threat of destruction. Literary (but not only) interpretations of history are well determined by various circumstances of political and social life. On the other hand, manifestation of historical topics in fiction is probably the most suggestive implication and expression of national and patriotic ideas. The historical discourse has been much exposed to the permanent tension between collective and individual consciousness, factual objectivity and literary Action, the aspiration of having an ot/ecfive reconstruction of the past and its unavoidable fwb/ecMve projection, one's ów» and the/breign, and societies expectation and creative freedom. For many years the Lithuanian geopolitical situation encouraged resistant and contesting statements against military danger to its statehood and the imposition of values by other civilisations on cultural trends. The existence between the East (Russians and other Eastern Slavs) and the West (Poles and Germans) has been (irmly embedded in the Lithuanian consciousness since the Middle Ages and has remained there almost permanently (though with great variation) into the present day. We have come a long way, through many manifestations and transformations, to reach the present stage, the beginning of which can be marked by the restoration of Lithuania's independence in 1990. THE MtEUKT Of PAH THINGS 117 The experience of historical discourse has accumulated throughout a long period of time, starting from folklore and Lithuanian chronicles. When professional literature began developing, the Vilnius school of Romanticism (Adam Mickiewicz, Juliusz Słowacki, Władysław Sy- rokomla, Józef Ignacy Kraszewski, and others) had a significant role to play. During this period of up swell of a new wave of National Rebirth, and renewal of the goal of restoration of statehood to Lithuania (undermined and subdued by Russia and Prussia since 1795), Lithuanian cultural consciousness was filled with a nostalgic myth about our heroic past and the noble deeds of our ancestors. The manifest of patriotism coming from this period refers to Lithuania as a land of heroes, and calls on its sons to draw their strength from the past (a paraphrase of Vincas Kudirka's National Song, which later became our National Anthem). The purpose of the first Lithuanian historical novel Apmauk» (1904) written by Vincas Pietaris is also to depict the heroic past, and the fierce and treacherous battles fought by the Lithuanians against the Slavs in the 13* century. Prominent Lithuanian writer and critic Balys Sruoga wrote in 1935: "The task of history and its auxiliary sciences is to turn a fairy-tale into a real story. Yet making it our own and making it loved is a matter and duty of fine literature."^ This statement became an imperative for many Lithuanian authors seeking to rafore past events in the most suggestive manner, introducing them in thepr«en( context. The quasi-mythological vision of Lithuanian history developed in literature during the 19^-20"' century became the richest, and almost imperative, repertoire of topics, motives and images, the impact of which could not and cannot be avoided by the authors to follow. Therefore, it is essential to have at least a quick look at how historical genres developed. If we were to limit the rich and multi-branched material to just the essential sections, we could draw a somewhat simplified diachronic trajectory of the transformation of historical discourse in the 20* century. It is rather closely intertwined with the general trends of the social- political process and reflects the peripatetic nature of the destiny of the nation and the state. Bearing in mind the propaedeutic-methodological considerations, we will outline what we think are the key trends of development of Lithuanian historical discourse, underlining the overall us Algis Kakda context of paraliterary factors and enlarging upon some characteristic manifestations in the section to follow. 7&e iMferwar period. After 1918, (when Lithuania's statehood was restored), the previously dominant Romantic and apotheotic historicism was eventually replaced by a more penetrating and analytical reflection of the past, makingattemptsat dismantling the patriotic myths. Incidentally, creators of the Lithuanian avant-garde, futurists and expressionists, who gathered around the publication Kefwrf vė/af (Four Winds, 1924-28) and their banner-bearer Kazys Binkis, first of all sought vigorously to distance themselves from sentimental traditions of romantic patriotism and declared their denial of creative statements made by Maironis, a representative of these traditions. On the other hand, the paradigm of historical thinking seems to diversify; this is expressed in a wider repertoire of rhetoric and ideologies, using the means of almost all genres and discourses, mostly employing the language of drama and epic. That period produced over 30 historical novels, the most prolific were the years 1936-38, when 8 works of such genre were published.' The works usually followed a straightforward discourse strategy, providing little room for the target audience to express their opinion or make assessment. Moreover, they showed a rather bright axiological change. According to a famous emigrant Lithuanian literaturologist Bronius Vaškelis, Before the restoration of independence [in 1918, A.K.], the country's past was the main source of creation and patriotism in Lithuania, fighting against the Russians for the nations freedom, therefore, it is not surprising that the genre of drama was almost exclusively dominated by historical drama. After the country's independence was restored, the role of the dramaturge changed: the earlier motto "to fight" was replaced by "to create," i.e. "to create national culture," a national drama and a national theatre. The press of those times started contemplating what constituted nationality, what the features of the Lithuanian character and spirit were and what the guiding stars and sources of inspiration for a free Lithuanian should be/ THE PKESENT Of PAST THINGS 119 Driven by these tasks of creation, new Lithuanian intellectuals (the publishers of the magazine Naw/q/i RoMiwva, 1931-1940) sought to inte- grate the issues of nationalism into modern Western culture. Along with these statements, new mythical visions about the heroic past, the national distinction and character were actively developed and established. First and foremost they were certainly instilled in educational establishment, and printed in journalistic and historical publications. However, importance was still placed on literature and art. Seeking to elevate the noble history of the nation, various opportunities, pretexts and occasions were used, among them opportunities at the state level. Various literary competitions and projects were launched to glorify the grandeur of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, to mobilise the national movement in order to regain the capital occupied by the Poles, and to celebrate the cultural contribution of Lithuanian historical rulers. The most prominent example was the cult of Vytautas the Great; the climax was reached in 1930 with the commemoration of the 500* anniversary of his death. The historical discourse during World War II and the years of re- sistance righting was treated as utilitarian almost across the board: it was a means of political struggle. The most significant dividing line in imagining the past in the present was that between one's own and the enemy. Writers supporting the Sovietisation of Lithuania and communisation used patriotic myths and images created by Romanticists as the primary means to bring the nation together against their eternal enemy: the Germans. Fighters for the country's independence, and forest brothers in particular, sought to increase freedom of national spirit and renew the tradition of fighting against the Russians.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Haličo-Voluinės (Hipatijaus) Metraščio Lietuviškos Žinios1
    HALIČO-VOLUINĖS (HIPATIJAUS) METRAŠČIO LIETUVIŠKOS 1 ŽINIOS [A. Danieliaus Haličiečio metraštis (1205–1259) 1. Pradinis Haličo metraščio pasakojimas] (st. 721) [1208–1209 m.] <...> Aleksandrui valdant Vladimirą, o jo broliui Vsevolodui – Červenę, lietuviai su jotvingiais užpuolė ir nusiaubė Turijsko ir Komovo apylinkes iki pat Červenės, ir kovėsi prie Červenės vartų. Apsauginis būrys buvo Uchaniuose, tuomet ir Užmušė Liubovo žentą Motiejų ir Dobrogstą, išjojusius į sargybą. Nelaimė ištiko Vladimiro žemę dėl lietuvių ir jotvingių antpuolio! O mes grįžkime prie ankstesnių [dalykų]. <...> [2. Pasakojimas apie Danieliaus įsigalėjimą Voluinėje] (st. 7352) [1219 m.] <...> Dievui liepus, lietuvių kunigaikščiai atsiuntė [pasiuntinius] pas didžiąją kunigaikštienę Romanovienę ir Danielių, ir Vasilką, dovanodami3 taiką. Lietuvių kunigaikščių vardai: šie vyriausieji – Živinbudas, Daujotas, Dausprungas, jo brolis Mindaugas, Daujoto brolis Viligaila; o žemaičių kunigaikščiai – Gerdvilas, Vykintas; o Ruškaičiai – Kintibutas, Vambutas, Butautas, Vyžeikis ir jo sūnus Vislius: Kintenis, Plikienė4; o Bulevičiai – Vismantas, jį nužudė tas Mindaugas ir vedė jo žmoną, ir jo brolius išžudė: Gedvilą ir Sprudeikį; o Deltuvos kunigaikščių vardai – Judeikis, Pukeikis, Bikšys. Lygeikis. Šie visi kunigaikščiai suteikė taiką kunigaikščiui Danieliui ir Vasilkui ir žemė buvo rami. Lenkams nesiliaujant darius žalą, [jie] atvedė prieš juos lietuvius5. Kariavo prieš lenkus ir daug jų nužudė. <...> [3. Pasakojimas apie Danieliaus įsigalėjimą Haličo sostinėje] (st. 754) [1229 m.] <...> Po savo brolio mirties6 Konradas parodė didelę malonę Danieliui ir Vasilkui, ir todėl prašė jų ateiti jam į pagalbą Ir [jie] atėjo jam į pagalbą prieš Vladislovą Senąjį. Patys ėjo į karą, o Breste paliko Pinsko [kunigaikštį] Vladimirą7, ugroviečius ir brestiečius, kad jie saugotų žemę nuo jotvingių. Tuo pačiu metu lietuviai ėjo kariauti prieš lenkus, manydami, kad [rusai jiems] taikingi, ir 1 Pastaba: metraščio nuorašai išnašose pažymėti raidėmis: Ch.
    [Show full text]
  • Ukmergės Rajono Savivaldybė
    Anno 1333 LT | EN Wilkamergen Vilkenberge Wilkinberg Vilkomir Wilkomiria Wilkomierz Vilkmergė Aukmergė Anno 1333 edus su šviežiais agurkais – mėgstamas ukmergiškių desertas. Stanislovas Tačiau mažai kas žino, kad dar XIV a. būtent tokiu desertu lepinosi Augustas Žmonės Ukmergėje ir iš Ukmergės M Lenkijos karalius Jogaila, kurio įsakymu 1387 m. Ukmergėje Poniatovskis pastatyta medinė bažnyčia ir įkurta viena pirmųjų Lietuvos katalikų parapijų. biejų Tautų O agurkus į mūsų šalį tikriausiai atgabeno totorių kariai, atvežti galingiausio visų Respublikos People in Ukmergė and from Ukmergė laikų Lietuvos valdovo Vytauto, kuris kovų su Jogaila metu 1391 m. valdovas, 1792 m. nugriovė medinę Ukmergės pilį, stovėjusią ant piliakalnio. A Ukmergei suteikė herbą, pasirinktą pačių miestelėnų ir išlikusį iki šiol. Beje, Ukmergės herbe matomas he favourite sweet of Ukmergė raudonas veršis – karališkosios residents is fresh cucumber Poniatovskių giminės simbolis. ai nutiko prieš kokius 800 metų... Kartą ūksmingose giriose medžiojo T with honey. However, hardly jaunasis kunigaikštis Tautvilas. Kai nebeliko nė vienos strėlės, jį anyone knows that in the 14th century this dessert was enjoyed by užpuolė vilkai. Staiga pasirodė žynė vardu Vilkmergė. Ji sutramdė vilkus ir T Jagiello, King of Poland, išgelbėjo kunigaikščio gyvybę. Tautvilo tėvas Dausprungas, Lietuvos valstybės įkūrėjo under whose orders a wooden church Mindaugo brolis, prie Šventosios upės pastatė pilį ir žynės garbei pavadino Vilkmerge. was built in 1387, and one of the first Vardas prigijo ir visam miestui, kuris vėliau pervardytas Ukmerge. Catholic parishes was established in Tai sena legenda, užsimenanti apie pirmuosius garsius žmones, susijusius su Ukmergė. Ukmerge. Įžymybių pėdos įspaustos ir vėlesnėje miesto istorijoje. Cucumbers most likely were introduced to our country by Tartar he story goes back almost 800 years.
    [Show full text]
  • The Monarchy in Lithuania History, Rights and Prospects
    Carmelo Curró Troiano The Monarchy in Lithuania History, Rights and Prospects Presentation and modified by Salvatore Ferdinando Antonio Caputo Page 1 of 15 BRIEF HISTORY – SALVATORE FERDINANDO ANTONIO CAPUTO First known habitation of Lithuania dates back to the final ice age, 10 000 BC. The hunter’s gatherers were slowly replaced by farmers. The origin of Baltic tribes in the area is disputed but it probably dates to 2500 BC. These forefathers of Lithuanians were outside the main migration routes and thus are among the oldest European ethnicities to have settled in approximately current area. The word “Lithuania” was mentioned for the first time in the annals of Quedlinburg (year 1009) where a story describes how Saint Bruno was killed by the pagans “on the border of Lithuania and Russ”. These Baltic peoples traded amber with Romans and then fought Vikings. In the era only one small tribe from area around Vilnius was known as Lithuanians but it was this tribe that consolidated the majority of other Baltic tribes. This process accelerated under king Mindaugas (ca. 1200– 12 September 1263) who became a Christian and received a crown from the Pope in 1253. Mindaugas was the first and only crowned king of Lithuania. In the early 13th century, Lithuania was inhabited by various pagan Baltic tribes, which began to organize themselves into a state – the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. By the 1230s, Mindaugas emerged as the leader of the Grand Duchy. In 1249, an internal war erupted between Mindaugas and his nephews Tautvilas and Edivydas. As each side searched for foreign allies, Mindaugas succeeded in convincing the Livonian Order not only to provide military assistance, but also to secure for him the royal crown of Lithuania in exchange for his conversion to Catholicism and some lands in western Lithuania.
    [Show full text]
  • 35 / Genovaitė Jacėnaitė
    þemëþemë2009/1 (62) ÞEMAIÈIØ Lenkimai (Skuodo r.) Paminklas Simonui Daukantui. Skulptorius Regimantas Midvikis, Leonardas Tuleikis. „Vilniaus motyvas“. 1973 m., aliejus, drobë, 150 x 115 architektas Adomas Skiesgilas Leonardas Tuleikis. „Angelas“. 2002 m., aliejus, kartonas, 105 x 86 Kretinga: grafø Tiðkevièiø koplyèia. Projekto autorius – Karlas Eduardas Strandmannas. D. Mukienës nuotrauka Leonardas Tuleikis. „Mergaitës ir gëlës“. 1994 m., aliejus, drobë, 65 x 50 „Þemaièiø þemë“ – prenumeruojamasÞEMAITIJOJE: leidinys Prenumerata priimama VÁ „Lietuvos paðtas“ skyriuose. Kaina ketvirèiui (be pristatymo mokesèio) – 4 Lt. Leidinio indeksas – 5100. Istorija Leonardas Tuleikis. „Ið legendos“. 1971 m., aliejus, kartonas, 70 x 50 Informacija tiems, kas norëtø paremti þurnaloÞmonës „Þemaièiø þemë“ leidybà, ðiam tikslui skirti 2 proc. savo metiniø pajamø mokesèio: Lankytinos vietos Þurnalà „Þemaièiø þemë“ leidþia visuomeninë organizacija „Regionø kultûriniø iniciatyvø centras“ (toliau – VO RKIC) VO RKIC adresas: D. Gerbutavièiaus g. 10-213, Vilnius LT-04317 Tel. / faksas (8~5) 261 9670. Mob. tel. 8 687 47550. El. paðto adresas [email protected] Ámonës identifikacijos kodas – 300037489 Sàskaitos numeris LT657300010086726101 AB Bankas „Hansabankas“, banko kodas 73000 Ið kairës: koplytstulpis Sedos ????? baþnyèios ðventoriuje; paminklas þuvusiems 1944 m. spalio 7 d. Sedos kautynëse (??? m., skulptorius ????), paminklas Vytaui Didþiajam Sedoje (??? m., skulptorius ????). Danutës Mukienës nuotraukos. 2006 m. D A I L Ë M U Z I E J A I P A V E L D A S L I T E R A T Û R A I S T O R I J A K A L B A þemë ÞEMAIÈIØ Regëjuonu kultûrëniu inicetîvu cëntra, Þemaitiu akademëjës, Þemaitiu akademënë jaunima Þ e m a i t i u þ e m ë korporacëjës „Samogitia“ leidënîs 2009/1(62) 2 / GINTAUTAS ÈIÞIÛNAS.
    [Show full text]
  • Downloaded from Brill.Com10/04/2021 03:40:46AM Via Free Access 1 8 ARTŪRAS DUBONIS Historical Self-Consciousness
    1 7 LITHUANIAN HISTORICAL STUDIES 11 2006 ISSN 1392-2343 pp. 17–38 YATVINGIANS IN THE GENESIS OF LITHUANIAN ANTI-TEUTONIC ORIENTATION* Artūras Dubonis ABSTRACT Scarce sources of the past of Sudovia (Sūduva, Yatvingian lands) clearly reveal several episodes illustrating relations between the inhabitants of the area and the Lithuanians. They witness a much more complex paradigm of political communication between these groups than might be expected. When Mindaugas started to strengthen his rule in Lithuania, Lithuanian ‘indifference’ to the Yatvingians disappeared. At the beginning of the 1240s Mindaugas was becoming a genuine, rather than a nominal ruler of part of Sudovia, at least of its northeast. However, the strife, which began in 1246 between Mindaugas and the Yatvingians and lasted nearly the entire period of his rule, conditioned enormous concessions made by the king of Lithuania to the Teutonic Order in Sudovia. When the war against the Christians was taken over by Treniota in 1261, the struggle of the Yatvingians (and the Prussians) against the Crusaders became more intensive. These were good signs indicating the beginning Lithuania’s support for the Yatvingians. The character of Treniota’s relations with the Yatvingians conformed to the political situation and traditions established by his predecessors, first and foremost, by Mindaugas. All that weakened the support of the Lithuanian monarch to Yatvingian anti-Teutonic resistance, despite the relentless advance of the Order’s military machine towards Lithuania’s borders. The
    [Show full text]
  • 2013 M. Liepa Nr
    SOCIALDEMOKRATASLaikraštis, tęsiantis šimtametes tradicijas. Leidžiamas nuo 1919 m. rugsėjo 11 d. www.lsdp.lt 2013 m. liepa Nr. 6 (39) A. Butkevičius: ANONSAS „Mums tenka srėbti konservatorių Aktualijos 6p. ir liberalų privirtą košę“ Karalius Mindaugas ir Lietuvos valstybės formavimasis Europa 4p. Pirmininkavimas ES Tarybai – šansas grįžti prie ambicingos užsienio politikos Aktualijos 7p. Pokalbis su ūkio ministru Evaldu Gustu Vladimiras Laučius į prezidentės Dalios Grybauskai- janti darbų tęstinumo kultūrą. Anks- jus mažas pajamas gaunantys Lietuvos politologas, tės metiniame pranešime nu- čiau valdantieji, imdamiesi reformų, gyventojai. www.lrt.lt, 2013 06 25 skambėjusią kritiką dėl delsimo griaudavo tai, ką statė jų pirmtakai. Esame žmonių Vyriausybė, tad rūpi- Jaunimas p. „pradėti dirbti“. Mes stengiamės tęsti ekonomiškai pa- namės eilinių žmonių gyvenimo geri- 8 „Vyriausybė dirba tik pusę me- gristus ir visuomenei naudingus pro- nimu. Ankstesnė Vyriausybė daug kal- tų. Tai, ką buvo galima padary- – Daugelyje Vyriausybės veiklos sri- jektus. Visi tai mato. bėjo apie energetinę nepriklausomybę, ti tik Vyriausybės nutarimu, bu- čių pabrėžiamas darbų tęstinumas. Tačiau tai – tik dalis mūsų darbų. bet nieko nedarė, kad mažėtų šilumos vo padaryta: padidinome MMA, Opozicija tvirtina, kad dabartinė Mūsų tikslai ir darbai iš esmės skiria- kaina vartotojams. Tad mums tenka ne parengėme mokesčių projek- valdžia arba nieko neveikia, arba tę- si nuo ankstesnės Vyriausybės. Vos tik rengti bei realizuoti naują šilumos tus, sumažinome neracionalų sia tai, ką pradėjo Andriaus Kubi- pradėję dirbti, įgyvendinome prisiim- ūkio pertvarkos programą, siekiant elektros gamybos kiekį Elektrė- liaus Vyriausybė. Kokie iš tiesų yra tą įsipareigojimą: minimalus mėnesio sumažinti šilumos kainas, bet ir srėbti nuose, sustabdėme nevaldomą pagrindiniai Jūsų vadovaujamo Mi- atlyginimas buvo padidintas iki 1000 konservatorių ir liberalų privirtą košę.
    [Show full text]
  • BOOK REVIEWS Dariusz Dąbrowski, Daniel Romanowicz Król Rusi (Ok
    LITHUANIAN HISTORICAL STUDIES 18 2013 ISSN 1392-2343 PP. 147–156 BOOK REVIEWS Dariusz Dąbrowski, Daniel Romanowicz król Rusi (ok. 1201–1264). Biografia polityczna, Kraków: Avalon, 2013. 538 p. 2 maps. ISBN 978-83-7730-069-5 The new study by the Polish historian Dariusz Dąbrowski about the Ha- lich-Volhynian Prince Danilo Romanovich is divided into two volumes (books). 1 Here, we review the first one, devoted to Danilo’s political life. The second volume is still being prepared. In it, the author discusses questions of social, cultural and economic history, providing appendices about the controversies about Danilo’s political actions in historiography (pp. 12–13). Both volumes are independent. The first volume is divided into five parts: Introduction (I); Danilo’s political biography (II); Epilogue (III); Appendices (IV); Bibliography (V). The enumeration of references is continuous. The index of names provided greatly facilitates the use of the book, because it is easy to get lost among the many names and patronymics of Russian princes. There is no index of places. The first four parts are divided into chapters, in which there are from two to eight unequal parts. Understandably, the part about Danilo’s life has the most chapters, eight, in which the story of his life and his political-military activities are provided. They are: ‘Roman’s Heir (about 1201–1205)’ (pp. 21–33), ‘Difficult Years 1205–1217’ (pp. 33–93), ‘In the Shadow of the Father-in-Law’ (pp. 93–139), ‘The Fight of the Volhynia Ruler for Halich (1228–1240)’ (pp. 139–217), ‘The Attack of the Batu Khan and its Consequences for the Romanovich’ (pp.
    [Show full text]
  • Laiškas Redaktoriui Apie Moralę, Žmones Ir Žvėris, Arba Gyvulių Ūkis Kitaip
    Laiškas RedaktoRiui apie moralę, žmones ir žvėris, arba Gyvulių ūkis kitaip Monika Kareniauskaitė Mielas redaktoriau, Pradėsiu banaliai, kaip labiau tinka „geltonajai spaudai“, o ne Jūsų reda- guojamam žurnalui. Ar niekur negirdėjote šių klišinių, banalybėmis šiandien tapusių (o gal ir visą laiką tokiomis buvusių) gyvenimo vingrybių, išreikštų pačiais lėkščiausiais žodžių sąskambiais: „Jis susikrauna mantą ir išeina, išsi- nešdamas auksines jos svajones. Dūžta žaislai, pasibaigia jų saulėta vaikystė. Ji turi begales meilužių, lankosi „svingerių“ vakarėliuose, be paliovos mėgau- jasi kūno malonumais – ji graži, turtinga, ji gurmanė, mėgstanti gerą maistą, vyną, seksą. Jis – menininkas, reikalingas vis naujos nuostabiausios mūzos...“ Gyvenimas gražus, jei galime tai sau leisti? Taisyklės yra niekinės. Taisyklės varžo. Ir reikalingos jos tik siekiantiems išvengti nuolatinio „visų kovos prieš visus“ būvio. Jeigu taisyklės nustotų eg- zistavusios – šiandien ir čia imtume plėšti, žudyti, prievartauti. Tik dėl malo- numo. Kodėl mums vis dar skauda tenkinant įgeidžius? Ir kaip išmesti tuos struktūros, pavadintos sąžine, likučius? Berods, jau Kantas kažką svaičiojo apie Dievo balsą žmoguje – „žvaigždėtas dangus virš manęs ir moralės dės- nis manyje“. Paistalai! Žižekas su Lacanu jau seniai kantišką moralę prilygino gurmaniškojo De Sado logikai. Ei, ar tik ne ji, su Jos Didenybe Apšvieta prie- šakyje, mus atvedė į Aušvicą? O hedonizmas – kas čia tokio? Taigi aš nekenkiu kitiems. Juk kekšė tam ir tapo kekše, kad patenkintų nimfomaniškas aistras. Tad, atsikratę savo vidinių skaistyklų, visi drauge šiuo malonumų traukiniu riedame į nežinomybę. Kitaip sakant – atsiduodam gamtos duotam geismui. Nes geisti – štai kur tikroji homo sapiens prigimtis. Tik nemanykite, jog moralizuoju. Galbūt pavydžiu geriau nūdienoje pri- sitaikiusiems? Aš dar jauna, turinti visus šansus konkuruoti ir nugalėti ko- voje dėl būvio.
    [Show full text]
  • Pirmasis Lietuvos Karalius Mindaugas Ir Jo Palikimas
    PIRMASIS LIETUVOS KARALIUS MINDAUGAS IR JO PALIKIMAS Mindaugo mirties 700 metų (1263-1963) sukakčiai atžymėti I. Įvadas — šešios galutinai neištirtos Mindaugo laikų problemos. II. Lietuvių karo žygiai į kaimynus ir valstybės pradžia. III. Sąjunga prieš Mindaugą. Jo krikštas ir karūnacija. IV. Tolimesni Mindaugo santykiai su kaimynais ir jo politikos charakteristika. V. Du dešimtmečiai Mindaugui žuvus : septynmetis vidaus nera­ mumų (1263-1270) ir Traidenis (1270-1282). I. Įvadas — šešios galutinai neištirtos Mindaugo laikų problemos Lietuvos istorijoje per eilę šimtmečių yra pasireiškę ištisa gale­ rija didžių valdovų, pasižymėjusių kunigaikščių, gabių karo vadų, iškilių politikų. Patys lietuviai savo dėmesį daugiausia yra sutelkę prie kelių pačių stambiųjų vyrų, Lietuvos valstybės statytojų, savo veikimo pėdsakus stipriai įrėžusių tautos praeityje. Du jų kai kuriais atžvilgiais turi panašumo. Tai pirmasis lietuvių tautos valdovas, paprastai laikomas Lietuvos valstybės įkūrėju, formaliai vainikuotas jos karalius. Dar labiau lietuvio dėmesį nuo seno traukia garsas ir darbai kito valdovo. Visu savo veikimu jis reiškėsi kaip didis kara­ lius, bet mirtis sutrukdė jam užsidėti karališką karūną. Abu tuos du valdovus jungia vienas bendras bruožas : jųdviejų politikos ir vei­ kimo klausimais istorikai, nors apie abu yra gana daug rašę, iki šiol dar tebesiginčija, nepajėgdami suderinti kai kurių prieštaravimų, negalėdami pasakyti galutino žodžio dėl kai kurių problemų. Supran­ tama, tiedu vyrai tai Mindaugas ir Vytautas. Apie žymųjį Kęstu­ taitį yra tikrai bent keliasdešimt kartų daugiau medžiagos negu apie pirmąjį Lietuvos karalių, apie kurį šį kartą tekalbėsime. Bet ir apie jį daug rašyta! 54 ZENONAS IVINSKIS 2* Apie Mindaugą, palyginti, daug tyrinėjimų yra davę svetimtau­ čiai, ypač lenkai ir vokiečiai 1. Šiek tiek prisidėjo ir rusai.
    [Show full text]
  • BOOK REVIEWS Dariusz Dąbrowski, Daniel Romanowicz Król Rusi
    LITHUANIAN HISTORICAL STUDIES 18 2013 ISSN 1392-2343 PP. 147–156 BOOK REVIEWS Dariusz Dąbrowski, Daniel Romanowicz król Rusi (ok. 1201–1264). Biografia polityczna, Kraków: Avalon, 2013. 538 p. 2 maps. ISBN 978-83-7730-069-5 The new study by the Polish historian Dariusz Dąbrowski about the Ha- lich-Volhynian Prince Danilo Romanovich is divided into two volumes (books). 1 Here, we review the first one, devoted to Danilo’s political life. The second volume is still being prepared. In it, the author discusses questions of social, cultural and economic history, providing appendices about the controversies about Danilo’s political actions in historiography (pp. 12–13). Both volumes are independent. The first volume is divided into five parts: Introduction (I); Danilo’s political biography (II); Epilogue (III); Appendices (IV); Bibliography (V). The enumeration of references is continuous. The index of names provided greatly facilitates the use of the book, because it is easy to get lost among the many names and patronymics of Russian princes. There is no index of places. The first four parts are divided into chapters, in which there are from two to eight unequal parts. Understandably, the part about Danilo’s life has the most chapters, eight, in which the story of his life and his political-military activities are provided. They are: ‘Roman’s Heir (about 1201–1205)’ (pp. 21–33), ‘Difficult Years 1205–1217’ (pp. 33–93), ‘In the Shadow of the Father-in-Law’ (pp. 93–139), ‘The Fight of the Volhynia Ruler for Halich (1228–1240)’ (pp. 139–217), ‘The Attack of the Batu Khan and its Consequences for the Romanovich’ (pp.
    [Show full text]
  • Grand Duchy of Lithuania
    Grand Duchy of Lithuania The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a European state the neighbours, with a truncated state (principal cities be- from the 13th century[1] until 1795.[2] The state was ing Kraków, Warsaw and Vilnius) remaining only nom- founded by the Lithuanians, one of the polytheistic Baltic inally independent. After the Kościuszko Uprising, the tribes from Aukštaitija.[3][4][5] territory was partitioned among the Russian Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia, and Austria in 1795. The duchy later expanded to include large portions of the former Kievan Rus’ and other Slavic lands, covering the territory of present-day Belarus, Latvia, and Lithuania, and parts of Estonia, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine. At its 1 Etymology greatest extent in the 15th century, it was the largest state in Europe.[6] It was a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional The Statutes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania name state with great diversity in languages, religion, and cul- the complete name of the state as Grand Duchy tural heritage. of Lithuania, Ruthenia and Samogitia (Ruthenian: Consolidation of the Lithuanian lands began in the late Великое князство Литовское, Руское, Жомойтское [13][14] 12th century. Mindaugas, the first ruler of the Grand и иных). The title of “Grand Duchy” was con- Duchy, was crowned as Catholic King of Lithuania in sistently applied to Lithuania from the 14th century [15] 1253. The pagan state was targeted in the religious cru- onward. sade by the Teutonic Knights and the Livonian Order. In other languages, the Grand Duchy is referred to as:
    [Show full text]
  • UCLA Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    UCLA UCLA Electronic Theses and Dissertations Title Between Two Worlds: A Comparative Study of the Representations of Pagan Lithuania in the Chronicles of the Teutonic Order and Rus' Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/0g57z7kw Author Markman, Kristina Publication Date 2015 Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Los Angeles Between Two Worlds: A Comparative Study of the Representations of Pagan Lithuania in the Chronicles of the Teutonic Order and Rus' A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in History by Kristina Markman 2015 © Copyright by Kristina Markman 2015 ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION Between Two Worlds: A Comparative Study of the Representations of Pagan Lithuania in the Chronicles of the Teutonic Order and Rus' by Kristina Markman Doctor of Philosophy in History University of California, Los Angeles, 2015 Professor Patrick Geary, Chair By the mid-fourteenth century, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania comprised a territory stretching across the present-day republics of Lithuania and Belarus as well as parts of Latvia, Poland, Ukraine, Moldova, and Russia. While the transformation of Lithuania into a powerful and dynamic polity under the leadership of a pagan dynasty has received much attention, concurrent changes in literary representations of Lithuania have been rarely addressed. This dissertation seeks to present the first comprehensive comparative survey of the images of Lithuania in the chronicles of the Teutonic Order and Rus'—i.e., Lithuania’s closest neighbors and most frequent economic and military competitors as well as collaborators. By examining each chronicle within the historical and intellectual context of its composition, I argue that the ii portrayal of Lithuania in these texts was neither directly political nor polemical, but influenced by a wide variety of social factors.
    [Show full text]