The wise men of Lithuania Minor and 18th Century
While in large areas of Lithuania a process of Polonization was taking place whereby the Lithuanian language was relegated to that of the peasantry, a different situation prevailed in the Lutheran German-ruled Lithuania Minor.
It was in Lithuania Minor where Martynas Mažvydas (8 urban streets) published the first Lithuanian book (a catechism) on 1547 and a priest Kristijonas Donelaitis (19 urban streets) wrote the first Lithuanian novel (actually a long poem imitating Homer in style) in late 18th century.
The last famous man of culture to hail from Lithuania Minor was Vydūnas (real name Vilhelmas Storosta, 1868-1953; 13 urban street names). He was the first philosopher to write in the Lithuanian language. He was interested in the Hindu tradition and theosophism.
In 16th-19th centuries the literature of Lithuania-proper (excluding Lithuania Minor) was written largely in Polish. The Lithuanian and Polish nations were not yet fully separated. A kind of diglossia developed where people even referred to themselves using different names in different languages. The tradition of 19th century National Revival put a special importance on the Lithuanian language, thus downplaying local historical personalities who published their work in the other languages. However, some luminaries of the era, such as Adomas Mickevičius (1798-1855, Adam Mickiewicz in Polish; 6 urban streets) receive a fair share of interest despite publishing major works in Polish.
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January 24th, 2020 - 16:10
Does anyone know the name of the Governor General of Lithuania when Tsar Nicholas i visited the country He reigned 1825-1855 ?A gift of a pair of jasper vases was made from the Tsar. I am trying to trace the history of those vases which are in England. Thank you for any help taht you can give me , Yours faithfully, Paul Dyson
August 27th, 2024 - 00:33
AI says- The Governor General of Lithuania during Tsar Nicholas I’s visit to the country, who served from 1825 to 1855, was **Count **Mikhail Nikolayevich Muravyov**.
### Key Points:
– **Mikhail Nikolayevich Muravyov** (often referred to as Muravyov-Vilensky) was appointed as the Governor General of the Vistula Region and later of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. He was an influential figure in the Russian administration of the region during the period of Russian control.
– The visit of Tsar Nicholas I and the gift of a pair of jasper vases were part of the broader political and diplomatic interactions between the Russian Empire and its territories.