Russian-German journalistic relations of the 1820s (based on the activities of Nikolai Borchardt)

The article examines the work of the journalist and intermediary Nikolai Borchardt within Russian and German publishing houses during the 1820s and 1830s, focusing on his contribution to shaping the image of Russia and its culture abroad. Previously unknown materials documenting the connections between Russian and German journalists are now emerging in academic discourse. In academic literature, Borchardt (1797-1857) is only referred to as “the Russian German” and a “propagandist of Russian literature” in Germany. However, his extensive work as a literary critic and his cooperation with the leading German and Russian publishers have not yet become the subject of in-depth research. Borchardt considered himself a mediator between Russia and Germany, striving to introduce German readers to Russian literature and various aspects of Russian cultural life. This motivated him to share his works with different German publishers. The analysis reveals that Borchardt maintained close relationships with the Stuttgart Morgenblatt, the Leipzig Blatter fur literarische Unterhaltung, Munich Eos, and the Dresden Abend-zeitung literary magazines, as well as the German-language Baltic weekly journal Esthona. Initially, Borchardt’s works were of a bibliographic and informational nature. However, gradually, both the scope and depth of his writing started to expand. Examining Borchardt’s correspondence with the editors of the German Morgenblatt and Abendzeitung provides valuable insights into Russian-German journalistic communications in the 1820s-1830s. The material also demonstrates the specific way in which German journalists perceived Russia. Borchardt devoted much attention to fighting the misconceptions about Russia and harmful stereotypes about Russian culture, holding German publishers accountable for inaccuracies and misinterpretations. Borchardt’s cooperation with Russian publishing houses was a significant part of his journalistic career. He provided Moskovskiy Telegraf [Moscow Telegraph], Ateney [Athenaeum], Moskovskiy Vestnik [Moscow Herald], and other literary magazines with translated versions of his publications and excerpts from letters with German litterateurs and journalists as proof of their growing interest in Russian culture. The findings from the research address the controversy surrounding Borchardt’s publications, particularly the debates between Moskovskiy Telegraf and Galatea concerning the perception of Russia in Germany, underscoring Borchardt’s pivotal role in this discourse. The author declares no conflicts of interests.

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