Mikola Yermalovich

Belarusian writer and historian (1921–2000)

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]

Bibliography

Lithuania proper according to Yermalovich^{[dubious – discuss]}

• Dear to Belarusians name (Дарагое беларусам імя, 1970)
• Following in the tracks of one myth (Па слядах аднаго міфа, 1989) (1st edition: ISBN 5-343-00016-9; 2nd edition: ISBN 5-343-00876-3)
• Ancient Belarus: Polatsk and Navahrudak periods (Старажытная Беларусь: Полацкі і Новагародскі перыяды, 1990) (2nd edition: ISBN 985-02-0503-2)
• Ancient Belarus: Vilna period (Старажытная Беларусь: Віленскі перыяд, 1994)
• Belarusian state Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Беларуская дзяржава Вялікае Княства Літоўскае, 2000) ISBN 985-6576-08-3

Awards

• State award of Belarus for his book Ancient Belarus (1992)
• Award of Uladzimir Karatkevich
• Medal of Francysk Skaryna (1993)

See also

• Litvins

External links

• Biography at Slounik.org
• Article in Nasha Slova («Наша слова»)
• Books at Knihi.com («Беларуская Палічка»)

References

1. Belarusian historian Andrei Katlyarchuk about Mikola Yermalovich
2. "Mikola Ermalovich. A centenary of researcher, historian and educator (Мікола Ермаловіч. 100 год даследчыку, гісторыку і педагогу)(in Belarusian)". Retrieved 30 April 2022.
3. Ермаловіч М. Беларуская дзяржава Вялікае княства Літоўскае. Мінск: “Беллітфонд”, 2000. —448 с. (in Belarusian)
4. "Mikola Ermalovich. A centenary of researcher, historian and educator (Мікола Ермаловіч. 100 год даследчыку, гісторыку і педагогу)(in Belarusian)". Retrieved 30 April 2022.
5. "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.
6. "Mikola Ermalovich. A centenary of researcher, historian and educator (Мікола Ермаловіч. 100 год даследчыку, гісторыку і педагогу)(in Belarusian)". Retrieved 30 April 2022.
7. "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.