Dubrovnik annals, No. 28, 2024.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.21857/mjrl3uoln9
Patriotic Society (1793-1794) and the Enlightenment Pursuits of Miho Sorgo
Teodora Shek Brnardić
; Croatian Institute of History, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The Patriotic Society, founded in February 1793 by the learned Ragusan aristocrat Miho Sorgo (1739-1796), is considered the first true Enlightenment society in the Republic of Ragusa. Unlike previous humanistic and baroque societies, which bore the name "academy" and were all dedicated to literary and linguistic topics, Sorgo's society of amateur scholars focused on practicality and social engagement. This meant adopting a critical attitude towards the reality of Ragusa, particularly towards the ruling aristocratic oligarchy gathered in the Senate, which held a monopoly on political decision-making. Although Europe was undergoing profound social and political transformations at the time, the static nature of Ragusa's conservative circles did not allow any reform attempts. As a result, the society of reformists was very short-lived, lasting only a year. This paper will present an overview of academic sociability in Ragusa up to the eighteenth century, as well as the establishment and goals of the Patriotic Society and its members. Special attention will be paid to the topics of preserved speeches, the concept of enlightened and old aristocratic patriotism, and the contribution of the aristocrat Tomo Bassegli, whose Enlightenment profile was formed during his stays in Bern, Göttingen, and Vienna.
Keywords
Enlightenment; patriotism; Republic of Ragusa; reforms; sociability; public sphere
Hrčak ID:
324922
URI
Publication date:
23.12.2024.
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