Why is the 19th century called the golden age of Russian culture?

The 19th century was a period of great cultural and artistic achievement in Russia, and is often referred to as the “golden age” of Russian culture. This period saw the emergence of some of the most influential figures in Russian culture, including the writers Ivan Turgenev, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy, and the composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

During this period, Russian literature and music flourished, with the emergence of the realist and romantic movements in literature and the development of Russian classical music. Writers such as Turgenev and Dostoevsky explored the depths of the human psyche and presented complex moral dilemmas in their works. Tolstoy’s War and Peace and Anna Karenina are considered masterpieces of Russian literature. Tchaikovsky’s compositions, such as his ballet scores for The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, remain popular to this day.

In addition, this period saw the emergence of a strong national identity, as well as a growing sense of Russian patriotism. This was in part due to the success of the Russian Empire in the Napoleonic Wars, which established Russia as a major power in Europe. This period also saw the rise of Russian nationalism and the development of a distinct Russian culture.

Overall, the 19th century was a period of great cultural and artistic achievement in Russia, and is often referred to as the “golden age” of Russian culture. The emergence of influential figures in literature, music, and the arts, as well as the development of a strong national identity, contributed to this period’s standing as a golden age of Russian culture.