I am a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Turku, Finland. My research interests include children’s literature and history of education, cultural history, urban history, nineteenth-century studies, history of emotions, popular culture, digital history and humour.
My current postdoctoral project studies early nineteenth-century children’s literature in Old Finland, with special focus on cultural connections between Russian Empire and German-speaking Europe.
Old Finland was part of the Russian Empire and belonged to the Grand Duchy of Finland since 1812. Under the rule of Catherine the Great and Alexander I, Russia implemented a school system that was created after the Austrian and German models. This increased the transmission of pedagogical ideas and cultural influences from German-speaking Central Europe to the Russian Empire.
The project is funded by The Finnish Cultural Foundation, Varsinais-Suomi regional fund.
Image: Huwikirja lapsukaisille. Kuvilla kaunistettu, I:n osa. Viipurin Suomalainen Kirjallisuusseura, Zilliacus 1964. Suomen Kansalliskirjasto.
Heidi Hakkarainen 