Petersburskie czasopisma Adama Honorego Kirkora

Abstract

Life and work of Adam Honory Kirkor during years spent in Saint-Petersburg remains relatively unknown. He did not left many materials, that could give us information about his stay in empire’s capital. Kirkor arrived to Saint-Petersburg most likely at the end of 1867, right after the closure of his printery in Vilnius, as he informed the inspector of Vilnius printeries in a letter dated 9 December 1867. He left Vilnius not without regret. However, a difficult situation, which he found himself in after losing concession for publishing “Kurier Wileński”, lack of income and a generally unpleasent atmosphere sourrounding his person, made him decide to move to Saint-Petersburg. He got an approval to publish a newspaper which, though redacted in Russian, would defend polish society from attacks of Russian nationalists. This newspaper, „Новое время” (first published in January 1968) is the most important trace of Kirkor’s work in Petersburg, although it was not his first publishing activity in this city. Already in the 40’s Kirkor tried to get an approval for publishing a daily newspaper „Невское эхо”, which was to familiarise the readers with polish literature and culture. These plans was not fulfilled. His other publishing project – „Новое время” was also not a success. Although Kirkor desperately tried to save the newspaper by taking loans, eventually he had to declare bankruptcy. Pursued by his creditors and threatened by imprisonment, he escaped to Krakow in 1871 and remained there until his death in 1886.