Understanding a divided people who should not have been divided.
Christine Hrichak
Published: January 17, 2025
Christine’s Note: In this recurring column I’ll share information about Carpatho-Rusyn books. Some will be books you might already be familiar with, and some you might not. Either way, we hope you enjoy these recommendations.
Patricia Krafcik released a new book in 2024, which focuses on Russian ethnographer-folklorist Petr Bogatyrev and Czech journalist-writer Ivan Olbracht and their time spent in part of the Rusyn homeland known as Subcarpathian Rus’, or Podkarpatska Rus’.
Bogatyrev and Olbracht’s names may be familiar to you from some of their important works, such as Bogatyrev’s book Vampires in the Carpathians: Magical Actions, Rites, and Beliefs in Subcarpathian Rus’ or Olbracht’s film Marijka nevěrnice (Marijka the Unfaithful). These works and more are described in Krafcik’s book, and she goes on to illustrate ‘where their interests intersected: the Carpathian brigand tradition’.
In the author’s own words, this book “will broaden and deepen [readers’] historical knowledge and cultural understanding of Podkarpatska Rus’ and the Carpatho-Rusyn life there, as well as to a degree in eastern Slovakia. The border between Podkarpatska Rus’ and Slovakia was inconsequential during the interwar period since both provinces of Slovakia and Podkarpatska Rus’ were within the same country with the same people living on both sides of that border. It wasn’t until the Soviet take-over of Podkarpatska Rus’ that the border became an international border and was viewed differently … it divided people who should not have been divided, Carpatho-Rusyns.”
Approximately $130 (hardcover) or $50 (ebook) via Rowman & Littlefield (try coupon code LXFANDF30 for 30% off), Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Kobo offers only the ebook, but at a lower price of $45 at the time of this writing. You may also be able to access a copy via your local or university library.
Christine Hrichak is a member of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society’s Board of Directors.
