Russian Empire’s Hesse princesses: German-born Romanov royal ladies honored for promoting European schooling traditions
The Russian Empire’s royal ladies, educated in Germany, brought home European teaching principles. Blending them with Russian traditions, they created unique methods of schooling and child rearing.
The German-born ‘Hesse princesses’ – Empress Maria Aleksandrovna, the wife of Alexander II; Empress Alexandra Feodorvna, the wife of Nicholas II; and Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna – are being honored at the annual Elizabeth Readings, a two-part cultural event held in Moscow and Wiesbaden, Germany. This year’s readings – held for the 22nd time – are focused on the three ladies’ education and the influence it had on the upbringing of young Russians in the 19th and early 20th century.
“The Hesse princesses represent an entire layer of our history, from Alexander II to Nicholas II. When talking about them, we are talking about the achievements of Russia in the 19th century, which was a turning point when it comes to the humanities and educational sciences,” said Anna Gromova, head of the observer council of the Elizabeth and Sergei Enlightenment Fund, named after Grand Duchess Elizabeth and her husband Grand Duke Sergei.
The three ladies, having been raised in Germany before marrying into the Russian Empire’s royal family, brought with them western European educational traditions, which then mixed with Russian realities and brought about a leap in how Russian people – from royals down to commoners – brought up their children. The princesses patronized a number of schools which included quotas for free education, including the still-functioning Stroganov Arts Academy, one of the best-known Russian institutions of its kind. They were also said to have practiced what they preached, teaching their own children to work, pray, and love their country while at the same time developing their creativity.
The event is split in two parts, with the first one taking place in the Moscow State Linguistic University in Russia on Tuesday. It will continue on Thursday in Wiesbaden, the capital of the German State of Hesse.Historians, archivists, and officials from both Russia and Germany are taking part in the conferences, including the Russian ambassador in Germany and Hesse’s minister of art and science.
If you like this story, share it with a friend!
