J.G. Sparwenfeld's Diary of
a Journey to Russia 1684-87
[In Swedish & English]

Edited, Translated from Swedish by Ulla Birgegard
December 2002
Almqvist & Wiksell
ISBN: 91-7402-324-1
377 pages, Illustrated, 6 1/2" x 9 1/2"
$75.00 Paper Original

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Sparwenfeld's interest in the Russian language and Russian culture began with his journey to Russia in the 1680s. He went there as a member of an embassy, but stayed in Moscow for another two and a half years to study the Russian language and Russian affairs.

The diary is written mainly in Swedish and French, but includes a few pages in Italian and a large number of names, terms, etc. in Russian, sometimes in the Latin and sometimes in the Cyrillic alphabet. The edition contains, in addition to Sparwenfeld's original text, a translation into English, an extensive commentary, appendices, indexes, a few of Sparwenfeld's own drawings etc.

Apart from a fairly detailed account of the journey itself, the diary provides an eye-witness report from Moscow during a very complicated period in Russian history. This period proved to be the final years of the old Russia, before Peter took power into his hands and a new era began.

History
Slavica Suecana Series A - Publications, Vol. 1

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