TyggbarLithuanian-Canadian cultural historian Laimonas Briedis chose a special format for the biography of his native city: Vilnius appears in the notes and memoirs of significant travelers. Here before the eyes of Catholic missionaries pass the lush pagan oak groves of the principality, which was baptized only at the end of the 14th century. Diplomat von Herberstein oversees an “empire” from the Baltic to the Black Sea, speaking six languages, including Armenian and Hebrew. The great army of Napoleon sweeps through Vilna in one direction or the other. Dostoevsky and his wife chase street vendors in a sleepy Russian provincial town. But Alfred Döblin comes to Vilna in search of Jewish roots and leaves the mysterious city, having experienced Christian inspiration.
Those who expect a supplier of ready-made tourist routes from the City of Wanderers will be disappointed. Here, little less is said about the authors of the memoirs than about the city. Rather, the book can serve as a guide to cultural meanings and an assistant in comprehending the genius of a place outside consumer categories. I don’t know if the Lithuanian capital will ever again become a destination for long weekends of Russian travelers, but for imaginary travels, Briedis’s work is worth recommending.
