“Blessed are you, a glorious Town Ostashkov…”: an XVIII Century Provincial Town and its Habitants

Abstract

The article is dedicated to the analysis of the work “Blessed are you, the glorious town of Ostashkov...”, found in a manuscript collection of songs from the second half of the 18th century (Manuscript Department of the Russian State Library, RSL, F. 199. D. 689. L. 40 ob. – 41 ob.). This piece, which glorifies the provincial town Ostashkov in Tver Province, is considered a valuable source for understanding the culture of Russian provinces during the era of Catherine II. The article examines the historical context of the poem's creation, its connection to Ostashkov's acquisition of town status, and the formation of an “emotional community” among its citizens. The main focus of praise is not on landmarks (like Lake Seliger, its islands, the abundance of fish, or the Nilovo-Stolbensky Monastery) but rather on the moral qualities of its inhabitants and the town church culture. The text reflects certain historical realities significant to this period and emerging elements of “urban identity” among Ostashkov residents, which can be traced in local history literature from the 19th century. Therefore, it can be regarded as an early example of how artistic literature reflects the self-awareness of a Russian provincial resident. Several features of the text suggest that its author may have been a member of Ostashkov's clergy, likely Semyon (Simeon) Vereshchagin, the archpriest of the Trinity Cathedral in Ostashkov, who until 1762 was a Poetry's teacher at Tver Seminary. A comparison with his sermons reveals new facets of provincial culture at the end of the 18th century.