Эмилия Плятер в исторической памяти литовцев

ENThe article sets out to analyse the reflection of Emilia Plater, one of the most famous female participants in the November Uprising (1830-1831) against the Russian Empire, a countess and a leader of the insurgents, in Lithuanian national historical and cultural memory. Having lived in the era of Romanticism, Emilia Plater herself became a rather romanticized symbol of the epoch. Plenty of nations have the cult of heroes as an inherent part of their generalized national narrative, whereas the quest for their own 'Joan of Arc' among historical personalities is also linked with the struggle for gender equality and the desire to reveal and show that not only men but also women made their contribution to epoch-making historical processes. In Lithuanian historical memory Emilia Plater has become a personified symbol of the November Uprising not only for her personal qualities but also for a certain "lack of heroes"; after all, a part of the most renowned uprising leaders in Lithuania were sent from Poland ("they were not ours") or were considered not very talented and insufficiently patriotic military leaders (e.g. when the uprising was defeated, they retreated abroad).Hence, the uncompromising fight of Emilia Plater and her premature death, venerated by Adam Mickiewicz and other popular authors, was unique. Emilia Plater emerged as a significant figure in Lithuanian historical memory at the beginning of the 20th century in the works of Augustinas Janulaitis and other authors. She was not only mentioned in Lithuanian history textbooks in the period of independent Lithuania but also during the Soviet era (except for the Stalinist period). Lithuanian residents of all generations know the name of Emilia Plater. The major sites of memory relating to Emilia Plater are the site of her death in Vainežeris and her burial site in Kapčiamiestis (both localities are in the district of Lazdijai). The historical memory on Emilia Plater is most widely reflected in the works of literature and art, history textbooks, and the activities of public organizations. 417. [From the publication]