ST.PETERSBURG RUSSIA'S "WINDOW ON EUROPE" -Contribution to the World

In 1724, the year before Peter's death at age 52, the Russian Academy of Sciences was founded by his decree, and in  1757 the Academy of Arts was established in the city. The 19th-century Russian painters Karl Bryullov and Illya Repin studied there and went on to international acclaim.

In 1819, the St.Petersburg State University was founded, and in time so were many other institutions of higher learning.  In the late 19th century, as a resident of St.Petersburg,  the Nobel Prize-winning Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov developed the concept of the  conditioned reflex. And here the Russian chemist Dmitry Mendeleyev composed his periodic table of elements, or Mendeleyev's table, as it is known in Russia. 

The city's cultural life also drew international attention. in 1878 a dancing academy was founded, eventually becoming the world's renowned Mariinsky Ballet. Soon may ballet and concert halls and theaters graces the city. Famous composers made their home in St. Petersburg, including Pyotr Illich Tchaikovsky. He is known for such enduring music as the classical ballet scores of Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and the Nutcracker as well as his famous composition the 1812 Overture. 

St.Petersburg also nurtured a host of celebrated Russian poets and writers who made their residence here. Young Aleksandr Sergeyevich Pushkin became what may consider to be Russia's  'greatest poet and the founder of modern Russian literature."  The Russian answer to Shakespeare is Pushkin, whose works have been translated  into all major languages and include the ode to his adopted city, which was quoted at the outset. In addition, there is Dostoyevski, who The Encyclopedia  Britannica says is "usually regarded s one of the finest novelists who ever lived." 

So it might be sad that whatever St.Petersburg received from Europe in its humble beginnings, it gave back generously many times over. Through the years its resident have certainly enriched world culture.

Next time: ST.PETERSBURG RUSSIA'S "WINDOW ON EUROPE" - A Time for Reflection 

From the jw.org publications