Culture in the Epoch of Peter The Great

 I. Read the text. Seven sentences have been removed from the text. Choose from the sentences A-I the one which best fits each gap 1 – 7.

Development of trade and industry, creation of the regular Army and Fleet, introduction of the completely new structure of official-bureaucratic apparatus of absolutism and other reforms required total reconstruction of the educational system, training of the great number of skilled specialists.

In 1699 Cannon-founders’ school was founded in Moscow, and in 1701 the “School of Mathematic and Navigation Sciences” was opened in the building of Sukharevskaya Tower. (1) During Peter’s reign Medicine School (1707) was opened, engineering, shipbuilding, navigators’, miners’ and crafts schools were established. In province Primary education were represented by three types of school: 46 diocesan schools, teaching clergymen; 42 counting schools, teaching local petty officials; garrison schools, teaching the children of soldiers. (2)

(3) New printing houses were opened in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities. More then 600 titles of books and other publications, a great number of which were translated from foreign languages, were published during Peter’s reign. The development of typography triggered the beginning of organized book trade, and in 1714 The State Library was opened in St. Petersburg, which became the base for the Library of the Academy of Sciences. In December 1702 the first Russian newspaper “Vedomosti” started being issued.

In the first quarter of the 18^th century a number of valuable works on Russian history were written.

On the Peter’s I initiative scientific collections were being collected. (4) From this moment organization of domestic museum management studies began. In 1719 Kunst-camera (cabinet of curiosities) was opened for public, collection of “rarities” of which became the base for the collections of the future museums: the Hermitage, Artillery Museum, Naval Museum and others.

As a result of achievements in the field of science and education, according to Peter’s Decree (January 28, 1724) Academy of Sciences was established in St. Petersburg. (It was opened only after Peter’s death in 1725). (5) The attempts to creating Public theatres in Moscow and St. Petersburg were made at that time. The first Russian dramas were written then: “Vladimir” (tragicomedy by Ph. Procopovich), “The Glory of Russia” (the play by F. Zhukovsky) and others.

In Peter’s epoch Russian traditional way of life underwent fundamental change. Rationalism and European high life customs step by step were taking place of patriarchal way of life. In 1718 Peter I issued an Edict about 'assemblies' with obligatory presence of women. Assemblies were held not only for entertainment, but also for business meetings. The Edict contained the detailed plan of organization of assemblies - dances, games etc. (6)

Peter's transformations in the sphere of culture, way of life and customs were of pronounced political character, and were conducted by force. (7) The introduction of European customs by Decrees, tearing apart with ancient Russian cultural traditions was to emphasize the difference of principle of The Russian Empire – the great state of the European type, creation of which took only a quarter of the century.

[http: //russia.rin.ru/guides_e/6944.html]

 

a) In 1718 the Decree issued, which obliged people to present “human, as well as cattle, animal and bird freaks”, as well as “old inscriptions made on stones, iron or copper, or old uncommon weapon, dishes and everything, which is very old and extraordinary”.

b) The use of foreign words, mostly French words, in speech was encouraged.

c) It became the predecessor of the Navy Academy, established in 1715 in St.Petersburg.

d) Simultaneously publishing started to develop very fast.

e) The interests of the state, which was developed according to the strict monarch plan, were of the main Peter’s concern when performing those reforms.

f) In addition to it in 1703–1715 a special general school – pastor E. Gluk’s “gymnasium”, teaching mostly foreign languages – worked in Moscow.

g) Academy of Sciences was not only the scientific center, but also the base for training scientists. Soon University and a gymnasium, attached to it, were opened.

II. Summarize the text: Write six or seven summary sentences about what you have just read. Then partner up two groups and share what has been written.

 

GRAMMAR FOCUS

Go to App. 1 p. 93 and read the information about the Infinitive/the Gerund.

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