History and culture: Exhibition to the 200th anniversary of the newspaper “Russian invalid” in the National Library of Russia

26 March 2013
Source: The National Library of Russia

March 25, 2013 in the Korff Baron Hall of the National Library of Russia (Saint-Petersburg) took place the solemn opening of the exhibition “To the 200th anniversary of the first edition of the newspaper “Russian invalid”.

Founded in Saint-Petersburg in February 1813 by the Collegiate Councilor Pavel Pavlovich Pezarovius, the newspaper at first published by a famous typographer A. I. Plyushar free of charge. “Russian invalid” was conceived by its creator in patriotic charitable purposes: the invasion of the Napoleon’s army has just been repulsed; all the proceeds from the edition were in favor of invalids of the Patriotic War, soldier’s widows and orphans.

By placing the political news from the theater of operations (foreign campaign of the Russian army has not yet finished), earlier than in other newspapers the “Russian Invalid” was a huge success. Collected from subscriptions and donations from the funds P. P. Pezarovius had opportunity to not only give benefits, but also form a special capital given to them by the “Committee, the highest established in the 18th day of August 1814”.

The newspaper has a lot of different headings: domestic and foreign news, orders for armies, military and historical tours, reviews of all possible attractions and curiosities, anecdotes and monthly reports of P. P. Pezarovius on spending invalid capital.

Also to the newspaper were produced a variety of applications: literary, illustrative and educational, where prominent art workers were printed.

Since the second half of the XIX century to 1917 “Russian invalid” was the newspaper of the Ministry of Defense, and the content of the publication changed: the dominant place in its pages was occupied by official government posts.

However, in spite of everything, throughout the history of its existence, the newspaper has continued to perform its main task: to help disabled veterans, soldier’s widows and orphans.

The exhibition will run till April, 15.