Petr Vasil'evich Kireevsky
Petr Vasil'evich Kireevsky was a Russian folklorist, born on February 11, 1808, in the village of Dolbino, near Orel. Coming from a noble family, he was educated in a culturally rich environment shaped by his mother's literary salon, where he engaged with notable poets and scholars. Kireevsky developed a profound interest in folklore, publishing his first article on folk songs in 1827. His pursuit of Russian folklore took him to Munich in 1829, where he connected with German ethnographers, further fueling his passion for collecting traditional songs.
Throughout his life, he worked in Russia’s foreign ministry, which allowed him to travel widely and deepen his understanding of Russian history and culture. Kireevsky, known for his knowledge of seven languages, cultivated a network of Slavophile intellectuals dedicated to preserving Slavic heritage. Despite facing government opposition in publishing his extensive collection of approximately 15,000 songs, Kireevsky persevered, ultimately contributing significantly to the recognition of Russian folklore on the global stage.
He remained unmarried and dealt with health issues, passing away in 1856 from the cumulative effects of physical strain and grief over his brother's recent death. While Kireevsky is considered a minor figure in the landscape of Russian literature, his efforts in documenting and promoting folk songs were crucial in highlighting the cultural richness of Russia.
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Petr Vasil'evich Kireevsky
- Born: February 11, 1808
- Birthplace: Dolbino, Belev-Kozel'sk, Russia
- Died: October 25, 1856
- Place of death: Russia
Biography
Petr Vasil’evich Kireevsky was born on February 11, 1808, in the village of Dolbino, near Orel, Russia. His father was a noblemen who left his children large estates. Kireevsky spent his childhood in Dolbino, where he was educated by his family’s cultured friends. He attempted twice to join the army but failed because of his mother’s opposition. His mother organized a literary salon, where he and his brother, Ivan, were exposed to the intellectual world. He met Aleksei Stepanovich Khomiakov and other poets and scholars, including those interested in folklore and collecting folk songs. This exposure led to Kireevsky’s lifelong interest in folklore. He published his first article about folk songs in 1827 and spent his entire life collecting and writing about folk songs, learning much about Russian history in the process.
In 1829, he traveled to Munich, where he met German ethnographers interested in Russian folklore. He returned to Moscow a year later determined to collect Russian songs. He worked for five years in Russia’s foreign ministry, which enabled him to travel throughout Russia, learning more about the nation’s history and the true nature of the its people. He knew seven languages and was respected in a group of like-minded people, many of whom were Slavophiles, dedicated to the preservation of Slavic culture.
After his family’s estate was divided, Kireevsky took care of his land and continued to collect songs. He wrote articles about the Slavic nations living in democracy and electing their leaders according to their sense of responsibility and inner nobility. He also tried to publish his collection of about 15,000 songs, but met with government opposition because the government claimed the songs did not present a true picture of common Russians. He had to publish each song individually, and the songs he collected continued to be published in this manner after his death.
Kireevsky never married and almost adopted one of his brother’s sons. Kireevsky suffered most of his life from a liver disease. He died of physical and spiritual exhaustion in 1856, a few months after the death of his beloved brother, Ivan. Kireevsky was a minor figure in Russian literature, but his work collecting and writing about folk songs was of great importance. His achievements made Russian folklore known to the world.