Abstract

The article examines the commemorative policy of the authorities of the Russian Empire during the Romanov Tercentenary in 1913 in the Kingdom of Poland. Te source base of the research is represented by archival documents and contributions to periodicals. All subjects of the empire constituted the audience of the allimperial holiday held on an unprecedented scale. Te Kingdom of Poland and, in particular, the Polish and Jewish populations that honored their Orthodox tsar are of particular interest in this respect. All events marking the anniversary were celebrated in accordance with the wellestablished countrywide traditions: these were mainly religious services, military parades, public merrymaking, public recitation in educational institutions, etc. Te cities were decorated accordingly - primarily with portraits and initials of the founder of the dynasty, Mikhail Fyodorovich Romanov, and Nicholas II. Te newspapers published copious contributions dedicated to the anniversary: articles on the history of the dynasty, various stories from the life of monarchs, descriptions and reactions to celebrations held in diferent parts of the empire, etc. The cities were
decorated accordingly — primarily with portraits and initials of the founder of the dynasty, Mikhail Fyodorovich Romanov, and Nicholas II. The newspapers published copious contributions dedicated to the anniversary: articles on the history of the dynasty, various stories from the life of monarchs, descriptions and reactions to celebrations held in different parts of the empire, etc. According to the testimony of the governors and district administrators of the Kingdom of Poland, the festive events received mixed reaction of the population. The Russians enthusiastically participated in the celebrations and actively helped prepare their cities for the upcoming event. The Jews showed the same (and at times more active) engagement in the festivities as the Russians. The anniversary events received a rather lukewarm response from the Polish population, primarily the intelligentsia. In some counties, protest attitudes were observed, often expressed through action. Contemporaries had the impression that, contrary to the “highest will”, the Poles did not particularly want to demonstrate their commonality with Russians and Jews in this celebration. In general, the celebrations in the Kingdom of Poland were held with pomp and without noticeable popular unrest. The authorities graphically demonstrated the achievements of the dynasty over the previous 300 years and became firmly established in the conviction of “the spiritual unity of the tsar with the people”.

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