Researcher of Interethnic Contacts: Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Yakiv Isakovych Shternberh (1924–1992)

Yakiv Isakovych Shternberh (János Váradi-Sternberg – both forms of the surname and name were in the paper) was a former professor at Uzhhorod State (now National) University, an outstanding scholar of the history of Transcarpathia and Hungarian-Ukrainian relations. The achievements of the scholar, who was born 100 years ago, are researched, analysed and properly evaluated. Due to his Jewish origin, he was forced to leave his hometown of Oradea (now Romania) and his family at a young age as fascism rose to power. The paper described how he miraculously escaped to Moldova and later to the Soviet Union, where he pursued a career first as a laborer and later as a scholar. After graduating from St. Petersburg University, he moved to Uzhhorod University in 1949, where his knowledge of Hungarian facilitated his research into Hungarian history.

János Váradi-Sternberg primarily studied the history of the liberation struggle of 1703–1711 under the leadership of Ferenc Rákóczi II, but the main topic of his scientific interests was the study of interethnic relations, in particular centuries-old Hungarian-Ukrainian cultural and scientific contacts. It has been found that the research of the scientist provided significant data on the topic of Hungarian-Ukrainian relations, in particular, studies on the relations between Rus and Hungary in the 11th century, on the Hungarian Queen Anastasia Yaroslavna, on the Ukrainian portrait painter of Ferenc Rákóczi II, on Hryhorii Skovorodaʼs stay in Hungary, on Ivan Frankoʼs contacts with Hungary, on students of the Kyiv Academy of the 18th century, on the relationship between the artist Mihály Zichy and Taras Shevchenko, etc.

Váradi-Sternberg’s approach to scholarship was thorough and respectful, demonstrating a understanding of his chosen topics and a recognition of the cultures of neighboring peoples. He was a sceptical historian. He believed that only factual material confirmed by sources in accordance with scientific standards should be used. During his short life, he did not fully achieve his goal, but he managed to lay the foundations for further research.

It is concluded that the scientific and popular science works of János Varadi-Sternberg played an significant role in promoting the history of the periods he studied and in fostering closer ties between the Hungarian and Slavic peoples.