Local history topics in Tomsk periodicals published by Vsevolod Dolgorukov (1895–1906)

Interest in local history topics existed among many journalists and educators in Siberia, which was reflected in publications they prepared for periodical press organs. This article examines publications issued in Tomsk by the former prince Vsevolod Alekseevich Dolgorukov: Dorozhnik po Sibiri i Aziatskoy Rossii [The Traveler's Guide to Siberia and Asiatic Russia] (1899-1901), the monthly journal Sibirskiy nablyudatel’ [Siberian Observer] (1901-1906), and others. They published various essays (ethnographic, travel, historical), materials related to geographical descriptions, economic and statistical data, literary works, as well as illustrations. The aim of this study is to identify the features of representing local history themes in Dolgorukov's publications and to determine their educational function. Research methods employed were: frontal analysis, historical-typological analysis. Scholars - historians, archaeologists, ethnographers, etc., including professors and instructors from the Imperial Tomsk University - often published in these periodicals. Their works consisted of essays on scientific expeditions to various areas of the Siberian region, ethnographic essays on research of indigenous peoples of Asia, and detailed descriptions of their own studies. Dolgorukov's journals, beginning with Dorozhnik..., long bore the imprint of a reference publication. Reference information placed on their pages gave them a distinctive "guidebook" character. At the same time, Sibirskiy nablyudatel' to a certain extent continued the tradition of Dorozhnik..., as indicated by the abundance of travel essays, "travel impressions," and journeys. This continuity was maintained at the genre-thematic and conceptual levels. Dolgorukov's policy regarding illustration was clearly aimed at educational, rather than entertainment, goals. Portraits and brief biographical information acquainted the reader with notable figures (statesmen, writers, and scientists), as well as with various localities, towns, villages, and peoples of Siberia and Asia as a whole. Images also supplemented ethnographic and travel essays but could also be independent visual materials. Finally, Dolgorukov's earliest publications were conducted in two languages, Russian and French, with illustrations also having additional subtitles in a foreign language. This indicated the publication's targeting of a foreign audience as well, primarily tourists traveling through Siberia. Thus, in Tomsk at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, a unique complex of journals for its time was formed, which made room not only for fiction, poetry, and journalism but also for a local history block: travel, historical, ethnographic, and geographical essays, as well as illustrations, travel information, and reference materials. The author declares no conflicts of interests.

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