Kijevo kunigaikščio Vladimiro Algirdaičio meninė mecenatystė

ENThe article is the very first attempt to review the cultural atmosphere of the „Lithuanian Ukraine“ or, to say it in other words, of the territory of Ukraine annexed to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1340, or, to be more exact, to discuss one of the aspects of it, that is Lithuanian Duke Vladimir Algirdaitis’ magnificent contribution to art during his reign in Kiev around 1362-1394. It is notable that even with the change of political situation Kiev remained the dominant centre of historical, cultural and church traditions throughout the region of Eastern Europe. One of Vladimir Algirdaitis’ achievements was the establishment of town defensive system in Kiev as well as the construction of fortifications which were called the „Lithuanian“. These fortifications survived up until the year 1482. It is believable that except the funds for military purposes those for churches were great as well, especially, to the monastery of Pečiora where the Duke was buried. A rather unique phenomenon was a mint operating in Kiev during the reign of Vladimir Algirdaitis. The money coined there distinguished themselves among other ones in the then numismatics. The great Sośnica treasure testifies to that. The sufficient data about two painters and illuminators of manuscripts who worked in Kiev during the period are available as well. Thus, at the beginning of the 14th - 15th centuries Kiev was well- known as a cultural and spiritual centre, and under the influence of it a part of the Lithuanian elite society joined the Kiev historical sacrum and, thus, prolonged its existence.