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| Peter the Great- Tsar of Russia |
During the Renaissance, when there was a surge toward the new and innovative, Russia didn't budge. They clung to their traditions. Rather than returning to their roots to find the future, they stubbornly stayed medieval. Right up until the end of the 17th century, this remained unchanged. Then, Peter the Great took the throne.
Widely regarded as the most beloved leader in Russia's history, Peter the Great was a bridge between Western and Eastern Europe. Unlike previous Tsars, Peter was not only educated at
home with tutors, but went abroad and gained an interest in science and technology. When he returned to Russia, he made a full push to bring his country into the 17th century. He sponsored a generation of scholars to study in Western Europe so that he could cultivate that new learning. He even went so far as to ban certain traditions in Russia, forbidding his courtiers from wearing beards.
As is indicated by their continued love for him, the Russian people appreciated what Peter the Great was trying to do. They loved the western-style city he established- St. Petersburg. However, much of Russia continued to hold on to their traditions. Moving so abruptly from their near-medieval way of life to the end of the Renaissance era was too much for many people, and they stubbornly tried to remain the same.
Thus Russia became, and to a certain extent, continues to be, a link between the old and new in Europe. A perplexing place, where both ways of life coexist. All thanks to the Tsar who dreamed of more for his people, Peter the Great.
https://www.biography.com/people/peter-the-great-9542228
I think Russia's geography and climate also has a lot to do with their unique culture- so many of their people have been isolated in the middle of such a large land mass that it must have been hard to progress in a unified way. And when that progress did happen, it must have been hard to institute in a national way. It makes it all the more impressive that they have such a cohesive feel and story to tell.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting post as it provides a very different perspective from what we have discussed in class. In fact, I feel that we always avoid Russia in general in our society. I loved this as an example of a culture that was able to adopt new culture but still retain its base and traditions.
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