Title of the article:

MEMORIES OF A PARTICIPANT IN THE RUSSO-TURKISH WAR OF 1877–1878. GENERAL M. A. GAZENKAMPF

Author(s):

Igor I. Kaliganov

Information about the author/authors

Igor I. Kaliganov — DSc in Philology, Professor, The Institute of Slavic Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky av., 32А, “B” build., 119334 Moscow, Russia. E-mail: kaliganov2009@mail.ru

Section

Theory and history of culture

Year

2017

Volume

Vol. 45

Pages

Pp. 7-20

Received

May 07, 2017

Date of publication

September 15, 2017

Index UDK

94

Index BBK

63.3(0)521

Abstract

The article analyzes the letters of General Gazenkampf, participant in the Russo-Turkish war of 1877–1878, who was attached to the Staff of the Russian Operating army to draw up regular reports to the emperor Alexander II about the current military situation in Bulgaria. A subtle mind, intelligent and observant man, in addition to his reports he wrote his letters almost every other day to his wife, leaving a lot of information to the descendants on Bulgaria, its nature, cities and villages, the physical appearance of the Bulgarians, their behavior, dwellings and customs. His letters are also of considerable value as the evidence of changing mentality in the Russian “upper echelons” regarding the political future of Bulgaria and the degree of readiness of the Bulgarians themselves to join the struggle for their freedom arms in hands.

Keywords

Gazenkampf, Russian-Turkish war of 1877–1878, letters, nature of Bulgaria, description of the cities of Tirnov, Gabrov, Kazanlak, Stara Zagora, Adrianople, San Stefano, physical appearance of the Bulgarians, their behavior, сustoms and dwellings, soldier's and commander's everyday life, changing mentality in the Russian “upper echelons”.

References
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