Minskas ir Vilnius mitopoetinėje erdvėje
ENThe mental conceptions of urban space are discussed in this article by the example of two capitals - Vilnius and Minsk. Author's attention is predominantly concentrated on the texts which describe the stories about the founding of the towns. Thereupon an in-depth analysis of the historical (Gediminas, Lizdeika) and legendary (Menesk) figures, directly connected with forming of cultural space, is conducted. Some other historic-cultural parallels are adduced to support the idea that myths and legends revealing the foundation of large European cities share similar structural elements. As a result of the analysis of both annalistic and oral legends it is attempted to create an "urban image" which is not only filled with architectural and historic-cultural landmarks but also possesses spiritual memory (mythology of space). Thus, a town can be viewed as a text which consists of chapters, names and letters with individual semantics and charge, as well as a particular organism which evolves independently and hence creates unique signs and symbols emphasizing its self sufficiency and significance.
