Podlasie in the works by Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz

Abstract

The article focuses on the descriptions of Podlasie at the turn of the 18th and 19th
centuries as observed in the works by Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz. The author assumes that Niemcewicz did not write a history of Podlasie, but noted his truthful observations, which bring us closer to events that are distant, yet continue to shape the current image of the region. They make us aware of the difficulties with which our ancestors were confronted and explain why in this area there are so few old, established estates that would contribute to the continuity and development of historical tradition and the identity of this specific place. Apart from that, the descriptions provided by Niemcewicz demonstrate that, at the times of the first Republic of Poland, Podlasie might not have been perfect, as it was troubled by Russian troops that seized crops and by the activities of the Bar Confederation, but still it was a rather prosperous agricultural region. It was populated first of all by numerous members of the nobility and peasants. Aristocratic democracy developed in the area. Social life was flourishing. Mansions of wealthy aristocrats were the centres of cultural life; most of them were also economic centres and models for the economic activity in the region, and members of the nobility financed the construction of churches and chapels to a large extent.