Brianchaninov, N.V.: East and West

Title

Vostok i Zapad, Moskva 1912

East and West

Keywords

Summary

Pages 119 to 150 of the book contain an essay devoted to Ethiopia, in which the author reflects on the recent history of the country under Menelik II’s rule. The essay starts with Menelik’s rise to power after defeating the Italian army in Adwa. The author goes on to discuss Ethiopia’s landscape, population, and Menelik’s efforts to develop the country, including establishing a diplomatic network. Despite challenges, many Europeans live in Ethiopia, thanks to its diverse climate and mineral richness. However, according to the author, their life is often uncomfortable due to poor housing. The locals are described as “clever and capable”, but also “cunning, greedy, dishonest, and lazy”. Brianchaninov notes Menelik’s efforts to unite the various tribes living within Ethiopian borders, but emphasises his inability to change their traditional ways. The essay concludes with a reflection on the uncertain future of the country.

Bio

Nikolai Brianchaninov was a writer and traveller, born in San Remo in a noble Russian family. After graduating from the Vologda Gymnasium, Brianchaninov enrolled at the University of Moscow, but soon left in order to attend lectures on theology and the history of religions in Europe (Germany, Switzerland and France). Having received a modest inheritance, he travelled extensively around the world and organised an expedition to Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt to study the history of religions and history. He spent most of his life in Europe. When nothing was left of his inheritance, Brianchaninov returned to Russia (1912), where he began to write for periodicals. After the 1917 revolution, he moved to Paris, where he published several books including La Tragédie Moscovite. (Essai de Psychologie collective) (1925) and Catherine II. Impératrice de Russie (1729-1796) (1932). In France he often used the pen-name “N. Brian-Chaninov”. He  died in Paris in 1943.

Sources

V. Krymov, Portrety neobychnykh liudei, Paris 1971, p. 141-142;

Iu. Mandel’shtam, Stat’i i sochineniia v 3 t. O russkoi literature, t. 1, Moskva 2018, p. 395-396.

M.E.