«Seas disclose a true devotion» — a book on exploration of the Murmansk shores and Novaya Zemlya will be written at MASU
- 22.04.2020
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Doctor in History from MASU Sergei Nikonov was awarded a grant from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR). The grant is given to publish the treatise of Sergei Nikonov «Seas disclose a true devotion: fishing colonization of the Murmansk shores and Novaya Zemlya by the Pomor peasantry and monasteries in XVI-XVIII centuries». In this volume Sergei Nikonov studies the exploration of the remote areas of the European Arctic — the Murmansk shores and the Novaya Zemlya archipelago — by peasantry and monasteries in XVI-XVIII centuries.
The book will be based on the doctoral thesis of Sergei Nikonov who is going to reflect on various aspects of the issue — stages and participants of the exploration, logistics and technology, social organisation of fishing. Moreover, the book will include a comprehensive description of the everyday life of the fishermen.
«The study will help us to better understand the process of economic exploration of the Arctic in the pre-industrial epoch. We will learn more about the history and economy of the monasteries in the Northern Russia, about the community and fisheries of Pomors and about the role that various social groups and religious organisation played in the exploration of the Russian land,» Sergei Nikonov says.
History of monasteries and their economy is one of the major issues of the Russian historiography. Though the most of the researches were dedicated to the central Russia, scholars have been also interested in the history of the Northern monasteries — some specific monasteries and aspect were studied (i.e. the legal status of the Northern peasantry and peasants' tenure). But, as Sergei Nikonov says, there is a whole range of issues that haven’t been deeply studied yet. The history of fishing and salt production, for example, as well as the economical exploration of unpopulated areas of the European Arctic. This fishing colonization was carried out by peasants and some other social groups including monasteries which were playing a particularly active role in the exploration of the Arctic since XVI to the end of XVIII and even the beginning of XIX centuries.
The final work will be published by a publishing house from Saint-Petersburg. RFBR does not publish books for commercial trade, but these books are distributed much wider than ordinary editions. They are sent to more than 200 Russian libraries and universities — so it is no exaggeration to say that the book will be spread across the country. It is a great honour, but at the same time a great responsibility.
«The lockdown has a remarkable effect on the creation process! I can fully concentrate on my work as I doesn’t have to commute to Murmansk (I live in Kola). Of course, the restrictions limit my physical activity and don’t allow me to stroll, but I hope this situation will be over soon and the life will return to normal.»