Gustaw Gizewiusz
Encyclopedia
Gustaw Herman Marcin Gizewiusz, or Gustav Gisevius (born May 21, 1810 in Pisz
(Johannisburg), died May 7, 1848 in Ostróda
(Osterode)) was a Polish political figure, folklorist, and translator. He was married to a Mazur
Polish woman, who encouraged him to become a political figure. From 1835 he was also a Evangelical-Lutheran
pastor in Ostróda.
In the 19th century a Polish national revival begun in the areas of the partitioned state
as well as in those territories that were lost to Poland before the partitions (Silesia
, Farther Pomerania
). In Masurian area - only part of which had belonged to prepartition Poland - there was a Polish linguistic, though not yet widespread political revival.
The local Prussian authorities were hostile to the movement and, beginning in the 1830s, attempted to eradicate the Polish language
from schools in Mazury. The authorities' efforts however failed to bring the effects expected by the Prussian state. The defending action of the Polish population during the first half of the 19th century was led by Krzysztof Celestyn Mrongowiusz and Gizewiusz who became involved in the movement to counteract Germanization in Masuria
. He encouraged the Mazurs to maintain their Polish language and culture by publishing Polish-language texts for use in schools. He also recorded Mazurian folk songs which were later published in Oskar Kolberg
's Dzieła Wszystkie. In his honor, Łuczany (Lec, Lötzen), his ancestor's hometown, was renamed to Giżycko
.
Pisz
Pisz is a town in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship in Poland, with a population of 19,328 in 2004. It is the seat of Pisz County. Pisz is located at the junction of Lake Roś and the Pisa River.- Etymology :...
(Johannisburg), died May 7, 1848 in Ostróda
Ostróda
Ostróda is a town in Ostróda County in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship in Poland, with 33,603 inhabitants as of January 1, 2005. It lies in the Masurian Lake District and is a growing tourist site owing to its relaxing natural surroundings.-History:...
(Osterode)) was a Polish political figure, folklorist, and translator. He was married to a Mazur
Mazur
Mazur can refer to:* Masurians or Mazurs, a Slavic ethnic group with historic origins in the Polish region of Masovia* Mazur , including a list of people so named* Mazur , a traditional Polish folk dance...
Polish woman, who encouraged him to become a political figure. From 1835 he was also a Evangelical-Lutheran
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
pastor in Ostróda.
In the 19th century a Polish national revival begun in the areas of the partitioned state
Partitions of Poland
The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in the second half of the 18th century and ended the existence of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, resulting in the elimination of sovereign Poland for 123 years...
as well as in those territories that were lost to Poland before the partitions (Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
, Farther Pomerania
Farther Pomerania
Farther Pomerania, Further Pomerania, Transpomerania or Eastern Pomerania , which before the German-Polish border shift of 1945 comprised the eastern part of the Duchy, later Province of Pomerania, roughly stretching from the Oder River in the West to Pomerelia in the East...
). In Masurian area - only part of which had belonged to prepartition Poland - there was a Polish linguistic, though not yet widespread political revival.
The local Prussian authorities were hostile to the movement and, beginning in the 1830s, attempted to eradicate the Polish language
Polish language
Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
from schools in Mazury. The authorities' efforts however failed to bring the effects expected by the Prussian state. The defending action of the Polish population during the first half of the 19th century was led by Krzysztof Celestyn Mrongowiusz and Gizewiusz who became involved in the movement to counteract Germanization in Masuria
Masuria
Masuria is an area in northeastern Poland famous for its 2,000 lakes. Geographically, Masuria is part of two adjacent lakeland districts, the Masurian Lake District and the Iława Lake District...
. He encouraged the Mazurs to maintain their Polish language and culture by publishing Polish-language texts for use in schools. He also recorded Mazurian folk songs which were later published in Oskar Kolberg
Oskar Kolberg
Henryk Oskar Kolberg, , was a Polish ethnographer, folklorist, and composer.- Life :He was born in Przysucha, the son of Juliusz Kolberg, a professor at Warsaw University, and Fryderyka Mercoeur...
's Dzieła Wszystkie. In his honor, Łuczany (Lec, Lötzen), his ancestor's hometown, was renamed to Giżycko
Gizycko
Giżycko is a town in northeastern Poland with 29,796 inhabitants . It is situated in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship , having previously been in the Suwałki Voivodeship . It is the seat of Giżycko County.-History:...
.
Further reading
- Sławomir Augusiewicz, Janusz Jasiński, Tadeusz Oracki, Wybitni Polacy w Królewcu. XV-XX wiek, Olsztyn, Littera, 2005, ISBN 83-89775-04-4