ANTRENAREA POPULAŢIEI GRECEŞTI ÎN VIAŢA CULTURALĂ A BASARABIEI (1812- 1828)

Valeriu HARABARA Universitatea de stat din Moldova

Abstract

INVOLVEMENT OF THE GREEK POPULATION IN THE CULTURAL LIFE OF BESSARABIA (1812-1828) In the first decades of the 19th century, the involvement of the Greek population in the cultural life of Bessarabia is increasing. Through the activity of the Greek scholars, the educational and scientific potential is capitalised, including the promotion of Greek culture values and literature in the province. The factors that influenced this process were conditioned by the intellectual background of the Greek elite as well as by the knowledge of several languages. An important role was played by the political factor, that manifested through its protective position towards the Greek intellectuals who took refuge in Bessarabia after the failure of the movement led by Alexander Ypsilantis. The purpose of this policy was to create a positive image of the Russian Empire and strengthen its geopolitical interests in the Balkans. Keywords: Bessarabia, Russian Empire, Greek immigrants, geopolitical interests.