On January 16, 1669, Count Savva Lukich Vladislavich-Raguzinsky (1669-1738) was born - a descendant of the Herzegovina princes Vladislavich, a Serb, an outstanding associate of Emperor Peter I and Catherine II.

He devoted his whole life to serving Russia and the liberation of the Orthodox peoples from the Turkish yoke. In this regard, today in the Russian Federation, Serbia and the Republika Srpska they pay tribute to the memory of this legendary statesman, whose name is forever inscribed in golden letters in the history of our country.

The fate of the undeservedly forgotten hero, who is rightly called a symbol of Russian-Serbian relations among historians, is amazing. It may well become the basis for numerous film scripts, which becomes especially relevant against the backdrop of the upcoming celebration of the 350th anniversary of the birth of Peter I and the wide public attention to such an outstanding event.

The correspondent of "Rossiyskaya Gazeta" talked with authoritative public and scientific figures about the significance of the count's contribution to the development of Russia.

Sergei Katikov, advisor to the President of the Russian Geographical Society O) on international activities, noted that "the outstanding diplomat and associate of Emperor Peter I, Savva Vladislavich-Raguzinsky, is a vivid symbol of truly fraternal Russian-Serbian cooperation."

"The Serb made a great personal contribution to accompanying the victories of Russian weapons in the Great Northern War, to strengthening trade and diplomatic ties between Russia and Europe," he pointed out. the post of chief adviser to Peter I on the Orthodox East. In 1725, the count was appointed ambassador plenipotentiary to China to regulate trade and border relations, in which he succeeded a lot, and the agreements he concluded are still relevant today. "

Actor Milos Bikovich, popular in Russia and the Balkans, drew attention to the fact that "Savva Vladislavich was ahead of his time, was a bright versatile personality, which allowed him to become the" right hand "of the Russian Emperor Peter I."

“I consider it extremely important that not only in Russia, but also in Serbia, and in the Republika Srpska, our people know who their compatriot was and what a significant role he played at the time of the formation of the Russian Empire,” said the famous cultural figure. “The example of Savva Vladislavich clearly demonstrates the historical contribution of the Serbs to the development of Russia.

The authoritative Russian Balkanist Yulia Yudova added that "there are many examples in history when worthy people who did not receive fame during their lifetime, gained it after death."

“In the case of Savva Vladislavich-Raguzinsky, everything happened the other way around,” she noted. “The name of a brilliant diplomat, an associate of Peter I, who received honors and recognition during his lifetime, is now known only to a narrow circle of people. At the same time, the list of his services to Russia and Serbia is so great that it would be necessary to restore justice and make his work for the benefit of our countries the property of more people.Some steps in this direction have already been taken.So, in several cities of the Republic of Srpska, Serbia and Russia, with which Savva's life was connected, he monuments were opened, a memorial plaque was installed in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg, where he was buried.

Meanwhile

It was Savva Vladislavich-Raguzinsky who brought to Moscow the young Ethiopian Ibrahim Gannibal, acquired by him at the slave market in Istanbul, (the African was then presented to Peter I, showed excellent abilities and rose to the post of chief military engineer of the Russian army, in 1759 he received the rank of General-in-Chief), great-grandfather of Alexander Pushkin, to whom the great poet dedicated the unfinished novel "Arap of Peter the Great".

Thus, it can be stated that the Serb, by his actions, also made an invaluable contribution to the development of culture and art in Russia, since without him that same Pushkin, the founder of the modern Russian language, would not have appeared in Russia.

It is also interesting that the Italian composer and virtuoso violinist Antonio Vivaldi enjoyed the patronage and financial support of Savva Vladislavich. As gratitude for the assistance provided, the musical genius dedicated the opera Truth in the Test (1720) to the Serb.

For services to the Russian state, Savva Vladislavich-Raguzinsky was awarded the Orders of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called and St. Alexander Nevsky, and promoted to active state councilors.

The count died in St. Petersburg in 1738, where he was buried with the highest honors in the royal tomb in the crypt of the Church of the Annunciation by Catherine II, who considered the Serb her closest comrade-in-arms and personal friend. The famous Russian commander Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov was then buried next to him.

bbabo.Net