The Lubeck phenomenon in the minds of Russian travelers of the first half of the XIX century

In: Lokus: ljudi, obščestvo, kulʹtury, smysly, Band 1

Abstract

In the era of upheavals in the first half of the XIX century, the population of the Russian Empire, primarily representatives of the educated class, continued to lead their usual and measured way of life. One of these familiar aspects was visiting European countries outside the context of hostilities. The perception of "foreign" territories by representatives of the Russian society, their incorporation into the usual tourist, educational, etc. routes is the most important aspect of the formation of the way of thinking of a subject of the Russian Empire of the 19th century, who perceived their country as part of Europe. In this regard, the main task is to show how familiar to Russians the town of Lubeck was becoming an important part for the free movement of Russian travelers, a place for their adaptation in Europe. This process is clearly visible in personal documents of the first half of the 19th century – some fears, novelty of perception, the feeling of initially being in someone else's territory, and then getting used to it. Analysis of these sources as a single block allows us to say that despite varying degrees of education, travel experience and belonging to different social strata, Lubeck appears in these documents as a place perceived by those who come to it as Europe as a whole.