Uprising of 1863: the Lithuanian traces in history of Lviv in explorers’ eyes of common historical memory

Today Lviv is the biggest keeper of historical sites of January uprising of 1863. Museum collections of the city keep outstanding materials, which cause a great interest for Lithuanian intelligentsia. This is a result of the research which was conducted by “EEC” Public Institute.

“The research which was part of the project “The Lithuanian trace of 1863 – 1864 uprising in Lviv. The historical and cultural memory dimensions” was held in Lviv region and Lithuania. There not many unique sites of that period in Lithuania unlike in Lviv, notwithstanding the fact that Lithuanians took active part in the uprising. The main reason of this paradox is that after Russian empire crushed the rebellion, it was also prohibited to keep any memorial things related to the uprising. However, in places where rebels settled, there remained a lot of memorial subjects which keep the story of fight with the despotic empire. One of those places is Lviv, which at those times was under the rule of Austro–Hungary” – noted the head of Public Institute “EEC”, Beatrice Beliavtsiv.

Yes, Lviv Historical Museum is the keeper of the biggest Ukrainian memorial collections related to 1863 January uprising The most known objects were presented at the exhibition “The 1863 uprising for the freedom: three nations, one history, one memory”, which was held in Lviv as part of the project.

“The exhibition – is the essence of the research. In fact, the layer which was found during the researches is much more detailed than we expected. We learnt more about rebels from Lithuania buried on Lychakivskyj cemetery. We are talking about people like Shimunas Vizunas Shidlovkyi – the monument of this person was installed on a hill of rebels. Also, Adam Dominic Bartoshevych who was the popular editor and published a series of books: “The Library “Ants”, magazine “Literary, artistic and scientific week” and other editions” – noted Beatrice Beliavtsiv.

Ukrainian ethnographer from Nemyriv Marian Sarabai, who explored one of the most tragic pages in a history of the uprising related to his hometown. “In May 1863 the rebel detachment left Volyn and entered Nemyriv crossing the border of Austro–Hungary. This move gave enabled the fighters to get rest  and get help for the injured. The regular army of Russian Empire stopped near the border of Austro–Hungary - they were waiting for permission from Vienna to cross the border. After the received permission, they surrounded Nemyriv and the last fight happened. There is no matter how many rebels were fighting and how many of them saved their lives. The burial of killed rebels was allowed at the local cemetery. That’s how Nemyriv necropolis appeared” – told Marian Sarabai.

The doctor of historical sciences Simonas Strelcovas - the professor of Shauliai University in Lithuania, made the research on the topic of uprising. He noted that the large amount of countries that ruled the city of Lviv, made a big impact, which is notable until today. “We can talk about different layers of historical memory of this city. Only the bundle of this big layer can lead to unexpected results” – said scientist.

The professor noted how important for Lithuania are the materials that Lviv keeps. “Can we provide the historical content for memorials in Lviv? Definitely, yes. However, in order to do so, a lot of joint work needs to be done both by the academic society, that would have to conduct necessary researches, and by the official state (the Republic of Lithuania), that would determine visions of future activities and form the Lithuanian policy of historical memorials in Lviv.” – commented Simonas Strelcovas.

The project was financed by the department of cooperation and democracy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania.