Preface in the Siberian Chronicle by Ivan Cherepanov: Author’s Concept of History

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Category: Hermeneutics of Old Russian Literature: Issue 25
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The study was completed with the support by the Priority 2030 strategic academic leadership program at Novosibirsk State University.
Abstract:

The article examines the little-studied Chronicle of Siberia by Ivan Cherepanov, writer, architect, master of iconostasis carving of the 18th century. The role of the Preface on the Museum List of the RSL, f. 178, No. 2214 is considered. In the preface the author addresses a specific reader — a lover of historical works — with explanations with an explanation of the subject of history and its role as a science; briefly describes the content, which contributes to the reader’s holistic perception of the chronicle and strengthens the connection between the parts of the narrative. The opinion is given Greek philosophers, Tatar historians about the northeastern borders of Eurasia. A significant place in the preface is occupied by the characteristics of sources and their assessment. The question is raised about the importance of checking their reliability, i.e. verification. The preface reveals the key attitudes of the scribe to the reader and emphasizes the social benefits of historical knowledge. It plays a communicative role and testifies to the increasing activity of the reader, whom the author seeks to influence, shaping his perception and to whom he addresses several times in the Preface. To identify the originality of the preface to Cherepanov’s chronicle, a comparative analysis was performed with the prefaces to Miller’s History of Siberia, to Shcherbatov’s Russian History from Old Times, with the Preface to Tatishchev’s Russian History, and with the Introduction to Lomonosov’s Old Russian History. The genre definition stated in the title — chronicle — requires clarification, since Cherepanov uses not only chronicle techniques, but also historiographic ones.
Keywords: Chronicle of Siberia, preface, Cherepanov, Author, Reader
Author: Valentina A. Melnichuk
Information about the author:

Valentina A. Melnichuk, PhD in Philology, Associate Professor, Institute of Humanities of Novosibirsk State University, Senior Researcher at the Laboratory of Archeography and Source Studies of the Heritage Research Center, Institute of Humanities of Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova St., 1, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia.

https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5379-2898

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For citation:

Melnichuk, V.A. “Preface in the Siberian Chronicle by Ivan Cherepanov: Author’s Concept of History.” Germenevtika drevnerusskoi literatury [Hermeneutics of Old Russian Literature]. Issue 25. Ed.-in-chief O.A. Tufanova, sci. ed. M.V. Kaplun. Moscow, IWL RAS Publ., 2026, pp. 719–743. https://doi.org/10.22455/HORL.1607-6192-2026-25-719-743 (In Russian)
EDN:

https://elibrary.ru/EDXDTF
UDC: 821.161.1.0
Publication Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22455/HORL.1607-6192-2026-25-719-743

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