Mikola Yermalovich (Belarusian: Ермало́віч Міко́ла Іва́навіч, Mikoła Jermałovič) (April 29, 1921 in Dzyarzhynsk Raion, Minsk Voblast – March 5, 2000) was a Belarusian writer, historian and teacher.[1]
Biography
Ermalovich was born in the village of Maly Novoselki (modern Dzerzhinsky district). He finished a local school and graduated from Minsk Pedagogical Institute in 1947.
On graduation he worked as a teacher, school inspector and headmaster. Ermalovich was visually impaired and had to retire at the age of 35. He devoted decades to studying ancient Belarusian chronicles and other primary sources.[2]
Work
Some commentators believe that Yermalovich presented the pseudo-historic conception of Litvinism, which asserts that the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was Belarusian, not Lithuanian.[3][dubious – discuss]Other professional historians criticized Ermalovich's books as non-scientific, however it is acknowledged that "it was Ermalovich's books that contributed a great deal to the expansion of research in the field of ancient history of Belarus" and "encouraged [Belarusian] academic historians to pursue further studies of the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania".[4][5]
Resting place
Ermalovich is buried in the Old Cemetery of Maladzechna. On his grave on the back of the monument is written: "He loved Belarus…".[6][7]
^Belarusian historian Andrei Katlyarchuk about Mikola Yermalovich
^"Mikola Ermalovich. A centenary of researcher, historian and educator (Мікола Ермаловіч. 100 год даследчыку, гісторыку і педагогу)(in Belarusian)". Retrieved 30 April 2022.
^Ермаловіч М. Беларуская дзяржава Вялікае княства Літоўскае. Мінск: “Беллітфонд”, 2000. —448 с. (in Belarusian)
^"Mikola Ermalovich. A centenary of researcher, historian and educator (Мікола Ермаловіч. 100 год даследчыку, гісторыку і педагогу)(in Belarusian)". Retrieved 30 April 2022.
^"20 years from the death of Mikola Ermalovich, the creator of the romantic myth about the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Reminiscences of his friends (20 лет назад погиб создатель романтического мифа о ВКЛ Микола Ермолович. Вспоминают друзья)(in Russian)". Retrieved 30 April 2022.
^"Mikola Ermalovich. A centenary of researcher, historian and educator (Мікола Ермаловіч. 100 год даследчыку, гісторыку і педагогу)(in Belarusian)". Retrieved 30 April 2022.
^"20 years from the death of Mikola Ermalovich, the creator of the romantic myth about the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Reminiscences of his friends (20 лет назад погиб создатель романтического мифа о ВКЛ Микола Ермолович. Вспоминают друзья)(in Russian)". Retrieved 30 April 2022.