One thousand years of common history unite the Swedes and the Belarusians. However Belarus remains the most unknown country in Europe to Sweden.
There are several reasons for that. The main reason is that there was not Belarus on the map of Europe in Early Modern Time. The country had no sovereignty and was the province of Russian Empire and then Soviet Union. Contacts between Belarus and Sweden have always been asymmetric. During the epoch of the Vikings (IX - XII centuries) as well as in Early Modern Time (XVII- b. XVIII centuries) the Swedes were active on the territory of Belarus. At the same time only some Belarusians managed to reach the shores of Sweden.

Written by Andrej Kotliarchuk, Museum of Ethnography and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences

 
First Stage: the IX - XII centuries

The Scandinavian arrival in Belarus concerns the IX-XII centuries. During this period the Vikings acquire control over the eastern trade routes, among which the route from Baltic's through the Belarusian rivers Dzvina (Duna in old Swedish) and Dniapro into the Black Sea and Byzantium was the most important. The Belarusian Slavs "Kryvichi" ("kryv" means "blood" in English) and "Drygavichi" ("drygva", means "marsh"), who lived in these lands, named new guests from Sweden "Rus'", having borrowed this name from the Finno-Ugric people (Rootsi). The Vikings were also known as "Variagi" (Varangians-merchants) and "Svei" (from Svealand).

Around 980, two independent Scandinavian kingdoms appear on the territory of Belarus. These are Polatsak and Tur Duchies.
According to the chronic the first dukes were the Scandinavians. Their names also bear witness. In the land of "Kryvichi", in Polatsak, Ragvald began to reign. In the land of "Drygavichi" the founder of the town Turau is Viking Tur (Tor). Tur's duchy soon became part of Kievskaia Rus'. But the Duchy of Polatsak with Ragvald dynasty was independent in the X-XI centuries (with the excepting of a short period) of Kiev and Novgorod and is considered to be the first State in Belarusian history.

The modern investigators of the Viking Age usually attach less importance to Polatsak, mentioning only Kiev, and Novgorod.
Meanwhile, according to the Scandinavian sagas Rus' was divided into 3 parts:
Novgorod, Kiev and Polatsak. Only in these towns there were Sofia church in the XI century - copies of the major temple in the Byzantine Empire, and that also signified the independent status of the local dukes.
In 90-s of the X century the Duke Valdemar of Kiev and Novgorod occupies the Kingdom of Polatsak with the support of the Swedish Vikings and destroyed the town (later it was reconstructed in another place) Valdemer killed Ragvald and married his daughter Ragnhild.

In spite of that Polatsak acquires independence even in the time of Iziaslau, Ragnhild's son. The whole XI century is marked by irresistible struggle of Polatsak against Novgorod and Kiev. Strength and independence of Polatsak were conspicuous due to its control over the most important part of the eastern trade route, which made it possible to reach the Black Sea as well as the Caspian Sea.

The considerable weight of Scandinavian presence in Polatsak Kingdom in X-XII centuries is fixed apart from written sources by data of archaeology, ethnography, topography and linguistics. The Scandinavian archaeological finds are comparable in number to those, discovered in Novgorod and Kiev. Namely, one can speak about Swedish, not Scandinavian things, as all the discovered objects have their analogues on the territory of modern Sweden. Scandinavian complexes have been found along the Dzvina -Dniapro water-way in the basin of river Nioman, and also in the land area between these two water-systems. Besides, great numbers of Swedish objects are present in places of permanent Scandinavian colonies in Polatsak Kingdom: they are Maskavichi, Prudniki and also in the largest in Eastern Europe centre of the Vikings on the lands of Smaliensk Kryvichi - Hniozdava.
The archaeological potential of these centres differs considerably from that was found in other ancient towns of Belarus (Brest), where there have never been Scandinavians.

Among Scandinavian things: different types of weapon (swords, helmets, spears, arrows), jewellery (the pendant with Tur's "hammers", metal pins and rings), Scandinavian coins, everyday things (padlocks, small weights, shoes, combs, icebreaker tendons).
The important signifier - runic inscriptions, found in Polatsak and Hniozdava. Especially many of them have been found in Maskavichi near from Polatsak - more than 80 (!) Scandinavian things are present in cultural layers of different periods. Male as well as female objects are among them. These things certainly belong to Scandinavians, because the displays a special style of clothes, embody images from Scandinavian mythology, and have direct analogues in ancient Swedish towns.

From my point of view, the character of relations between the Swedish Vikings and the Belarusian Slavs was peaceful. This can be proved by the absolute absence of any remarks in chronicles about the invasive raids. The control over the international trade route ensured stability. Scandinavians created a state (Polatsak Kingdom), inner policy of which, was peaceful. In contrast to the rich people of England, France and Italy, such raids were senseless for the Eastern Slavs, whose culture was agricultural.

Which positive features did ancient Swedes bring to the Belorusian culture? On the one hand, ancient trade centres of eastern route, founded by Scandinavians, became prosperous towns, especially Polatsak. On the other hand, it is difficult to imagine the development of the Polatsak State, especially, its juridical system (Ruskaja Prauda) without Scandinavians. Scandinavian influence is evident in the subsequent old Belarusian juridical monuments of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
Swedes brought to Belarus more advanced technologies of iron treatment and jewellery. It is not by chance that after Scandinavian departure in the XIII century, these regions were exposed to powerful regress, which was observed up to the 16-17 centuries.

 
The first objects of Christian cult

The Dzvina trade route founded by Scandinavians, was functioning till the end of the XIX century. The Germans, who changed Scandinavians in the XIII century, borrowed all the Swedish nomenclature.
Scandinavians also played an important role in baptism of Belarusians. In Scandinavian interments we meet the first objects of Christian cult (crosses and candles). Viking Tur christened the population of Tur's land. Ragnhild founded the first in Belarus cloister and was considered a local saint.
During this period the Belorusian language accumulated about 50 Scandinavian words, 90% of which belong to trade and state vocabulary. For instant:

Handal' (Bel.) - handel (Sw.)
 
Birka (it was name of wood stick for count) - Björka
 
Bagor- batgarr (old Sw.), båtshake (Sw.)
 
Buda - bod
 
Bur - borr
 
Bezman - besman
 
Marmur - marmor
 
Pieniazi - pengar
 
Sygnet - sigill
 
Gosc' - gäst
 
Vanravac' - vandra
 
Kruk - krok
 
Drot - tråd
 
Skarb - skatt
 
Kofta - kofta
 
Rada - råd
 
Drabant - drabant
 
Hrydz - hird
 
T(s)ivun - tun
 
Marshalk - marskalk and so on

 
Belarusian names from Sweden

About 11 Scandinavian toponyms have been fixed in the Belarusian lands: lakes Svieulivy, (from Svei and Livy), Rahniedz, town Rahniedzina; river Sven', Svienski cloister and so on.
The Belarusian folklore has retained legends about Svei, Vikings, Tur and Ragvald, Ragnhild. Scandinavian names: Rohvalad-Ragvald, Rahnieda-Ragnhild- are contained by the modern dictionary of the Belarusian names. Swede borrows the name Svantepolk (since the 16th century Svante). Words "torg", "påse" (kashel') entered Swedish from the old Belarusian language.
The independent observer, the emperor of Byzantium Konstantin wrote in his chronicle "About nations" that the Vikings and their subject Belarusian Slavs ("their tributaries whose names were "Kryvitejni") had settled peaceful and mutually profitable relations. In spring and summer during "big water" (when the system of the passage of the Eastern route was functioning) Scandinavians went to trade in distant countries. Ships for them were made and supplied, by the way, by Slavs.
In autumn and winter the Scandinavians was back and laid the local population under tribute: in Slavonic "polyudje", in old Russian-Swedish "hyra". This light tribute included honey, wax, skins which soon became the object of international trade.

 
Second Stage: Early Modern Time.

In the 14th - 18th centuries Belarus was an integral part of the European civilisation, occupying the eastern boundaries of Europe.
All Belarusian lands were the part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania at that time (further GDL). In GDL proper the Belarusian nation was formed. Belarusians were the majority of the population of GDL, besides them, there also lived Balts-Lithuanians, Jews, Poles, German. The official and literary language was old Belarusian. Belarusian nobility held the most important state posts. Belarusian merchants from Vilnia, Polatsak Mahileu conducted large-scale international trade, also through Riga with Sweden.
In the capital of the GDL, Vilnia (now Vilnius) Belarusians made the majority of the population during this period as well. Vilnia was the centre of old Belarusian culture.
The first book in the history of GDL was issued in Vilnia in 1522-25. It was the Bible, which was translated into the old Belarusian language by the humanist Frantsisk Skaryna. In 1562 the Protestant Simon Bydny published Luther's Catechism in Belarusian. The very name "Belarus" didn't exist then, the country was called Lithuania and Belarusians - "Litviny". Historical Lithuania was Slavonic State mostly with Belarusian (also Polish) culture. Nowadays the difference between historical Lithuania and modern Lithuanian Republic is unknown to Sweden. It is of interest, but the Swedish scientists of Early Modern Time understood it quite well. The bishop from Linkoping, Juhan Botvidius wrote in his work (the beginning of the XVII century): "Slavonic is the common language for Croatians, Bohemians, Dalmatians, Poles, Lithuanians, Moskovitians, Russians (Ukrainians)."
In comparison with Catholic Poland State authority in GDL belonged to Protestants at the end of the 16th century - beginning of the 17th centuries. The Belarusian Lutheran Church has existed up to now since the middle of the 16th century. The union of 1569 was signed with Poland with great resistance on the part of Lithuanians. In spite of this union GDL managed to preserve its official language (Belarusian), boundaries, laws, monetary system, army.
Lithuanians' separatism was retained. Feudal lords - Protestants considered Sweden one of the potential allies.
It was during this period that Belarus and Lithuania enter the sphere of active Swedish policy, the major aim of which was the creation of Grand Sweden with "inner" Baltic Sea.

 
The major dates:

1587 - the Swedish Prince Sigismund Vaza (Zhygimont Vaza in Belarusian) is appointed as the king of Poland and the Grand Duke of Lithuania, that is he becomes the monarch of all Belarusians. The Belarusian noble Martin Liesniavolski was a member of Polish-Lithuanian embassy to Sweden in 1587. The description of his travel to Calmer became the first correct information about Sweden in Belarus in Early Modern Time.

1592-1599 - Sweden and GDL are under the domination of one king.

1622-1710 - Belarusian lands and Sweden have the common boundary line via the territory near of modern border between Latvia and Belarus (Livonia).

1655 - During the Small Northen War, the Swedish army occupied the territory of the present west Belarus . In August-October 1655 the union of Kejdany was contracted, according to which Belarusian Protestant nobility (Janush Radzivill, Boguslav Radzivill and other) broke the relations with Catholic Poland and was united GDL with Sweden into one federal state for a short period of time.

1702-1708 - in the course of the Big Northern War Belarus becomes the theatre of operations between the troops of Charles XII and Peter I. The Swedish army (about 40 thousand people) stops thrice on the territory of Belarus (1702, 1706, 1708).

Practically all Belarusian and Swedish contacts took place at this very period. "Swedish" Riga played an important role in the development of the Belarusian economics of the XVII century. The Belarusian merchants delivered honey, fur-skins, skins (fells) here along Dzvina to Riga. Metal goods, copper, faience, the "Swedish marble" ("Szvedzki marmur" was used in building the churches) were exported from Sweden. There existed the Belarusian church of St. Mikolaj in Riga. The monks from Polatsak yearly went on a pilgrimage to Riga. So, Belarusians and Swedes well knew each other.

It's not accidental that the Belarusian merchants supported alliance of GDL and Sweden. In 1655 they helped to establish contrast between the governor Livonia Magnus De La Gardie and the Chancellor of GDL Jan Radzivill. After Kejdan Union merchants provided the Swedish king Charles X Gustaf with finances. Since the 17th century the famous artist Konrad Gotke, Swede by origin, works in Belarus. Another Swede (catholic - immigrant) Gregorius Borastus studied in Vilnia Jesuit Academy in 1600-1604 and became prominent as a poet - Latin scholar, the author of poems devoted the Belarusian noble.
For example, the most famous old Belarusian political person the Chancellor of GDL - Leu Sapieha.

In the Swedish Dorpat University (Tartu University) the theses devoted the history of GDL were defended.
In 1626 Swede Andreas Boreus prepared one of the best maps of Belarus and Lithuania of Early Modern Time.
After the Big Northern War several Swedish soldiers remained in Belarus. One of the descendants became the burgomaster of Vitsiebsk (Kazimir Shved), the other, Frantsisk Oshtarp - the richest landowner.

About 20 diaries, written by the Swedish officers in 1702-1708, have been preserved in Belarus - valuable source for the description of the country at the beginning of the 18th century.

"The Swedish Theme" was popular in modern Belarussian literature in the 17th -19th centuries. This was works of Simieon Polatski, Jan Alieshkouski, Trafim Surta, Nikadzim Musnitski, Vincent Dunin-Martsinkievich and other.

So, in Alherd Abuthovich's poem "Ballad about Charles XII" the romantic image of the Swedish king is presented. This poem was written in 1863-64 during the Belarusian revolt under the leadership of Kastus' Kalinouski, against tsarist Russia. Its author took part in it. According to the author's words: Charles XII's defeat near Poltava buried Belarusian hopes for freedom and independence.

Swedes have left huge trace in the Belarusian folklore. I have collected about 100 stories, legends, proverbs about Swedes, of the period of the Big Northern War. There is rich (around 100) "Swedish places."

The common image of the "Swede-magic" is also popular. In these legends the Swedish soldiers surprisingly find bread, hidden in soil (in reality they knew the laws of thermodynamics, the matter is that there was no dew, where the "bread holes" were, because of the apportionment of heat), know Belarusian language, they are able to drain the reservoirs.

The researches of the Swedish hoards are closely connected with the topic of witchcraft. They had been led to the end of the 19th century, what's more the nobles were their participants. Legends about Charles XII are also remarkable. The king appears to be the guarantor of justice in one of them. After he had seen negative attitude to the Orthodox icons (the road was paved with them and the king's horse "refused to tread") Charles made his subjects bring the icons to the church, and guilty Swedish soldiers were put to death. People's description of Charles XII has been preserved. The legend-prophecy about the king's death is extraordinary. It turned out that the whole country knew about the king's future death in Norway long before his arrival.

The special topic includes stories about the Swedish soldiers, who remained to live in Belarus. There are even two villages, inhabitants of which consider themselves the offspring of Swedes.

Nine Belarusian proverbs about Swedes have been retained. Among them, are the following:

In the times of old-Swede (that is long ago);

The Russians are from there, the Swedes are from there, there is no place to hide from big trouble (the Big Northern War);

As soon as the Swedes came, water in the lake of Dvarchanskaie disappeared (the theme of magic)

The Swede lost his boots and trousers in the battle of Liasnaia, near Rudnia he dropped his cap (the Swedish defeat near Liasnaia 28.09.1708.);

Barefooted like Swede (about 1000 Swedish soldiers tried to reach Swedish Livonia after Liasnaia. They moved without food along the land, which had been burnt out by the Russian Army); As the Swede by Poltava - the synonym of absolute luckless.

In 1846 the only monograph "Letter about Sweden", devoted to the Belarusian-Swedish contacts, was published. Its author, the historian Iaustakh Tyshkevich had visited Sweden and founded the first museum in Belarus.

 
Third Stage: since 1991

The restoration of Belarusian sovereignty in 1991 (remember Polatsak Kingdom, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Belarusian Democratic Republic of 1918) stimulated the renewal of Belarusian-Swedish contacts. It is regretful, but the political changes in Belarus in 1995-1996 brought all the contacts to the level of "people diplomacy."

The society "Vitryssland" functions in Sweden now. Its leader Maria Söderberg is a representative of Belarusian culture and problems in Sweden. There is also Sweden- Belarussian society "Kollegium" (Pinsk) in Belarus. Two Belarusian interpreters Valer Bujval and Liavon Barshcheuski translate modern Swedish literature into Belarusian. Kajsa Öberg Lindsten translates modern Belarusian poetry into Swedish.

In 1997 Barbara Törnquist-Pleva (Lund University) prepared the first scientific monograph about Belarus in Swedish. The popular book about Belarus from Kjell Albin Abrahamson was issued in 1999. It was well accepted by the Swedish reader. Sven Gustavsson (Uppsala University) publishes articles about the Belarusian language, culture and literature in Swedish scientific journals.

Sweden's archives and libraries are of great interest to the Belarusian humanitarians. The collection of old Belarusian books Carolina Rediviva more than the analogous collection in the National Library of Belarus. Unique documents are kept in Riksarkivet.

Today 4 historical problems are being dangled before the Belarusian society:

• Undemocratic state regime
• The danger of incorporation with Russia
• Chernobyl (70 % of radioactive toxins have been emitted on the territory of Belarus)
• The disappearance of the Belarusian language - assimilation (the number of Belarusian schools has been reduced since 1994 from 68,4% to 10%)
• Not numerous Belarusian intelligentsia (90% of the writers and scientists were killed during the Stalin's repression) undertakes all possible attempts to solve these problems peacefully.
• The civil society of Belarus is in great need of Sweden's help. The situation in Belarus is very important for the stability of the Baltic region.

"Contacts between Belarus and Sweden have always been asymmetric. During the epoch of the Vikings (IX - XII centuries) as well as in Early Modern Time (XVII- b. XVIII centuries) the Swedes were active on the territory of Belarus. At the same time only some Belarusians managed to reach the shores of Sweden."
(Map: Maria Söderberg)

© All rights reserverd the author Andrej Kotliarchuk.
If you quote his text, please mention website www.vitryssland.nu
 

More about Swedish-Belarusian links:
(In Swedish)
"Barfota som en svensk" - vitryska ordspråk om svenskar
Historiska förbindelser som slog knut på sig själva. Av Kjell Albin Abrahamson
(In English)
Belarusians about Swedes. By Maxim Medvedev, Pinsk
 
Please also have a look at the website www.kalegium.org