The Destunis Collection in the Manuscript Section of the Saltykov-Shchedrin State Public Library in Leningrad

This work began as an outgrowth of a research project on Russian culture and the Greek War of Independence: a study in Russian philhellenism. The opportunity to conduct research in the Soviet Union in 1980-81 and 1987-88 brought to light new themes and sources in the field of Greek-Slavic cultural relations. Access to the archival collections of several Greeks who achieved prominence in Russia provided concrete information on their contributions to Russian society and culture in a variety of areas, such as civic activity, education, scholarship, and publicistic endeavors.