Pozharsky

Pozharsky is a Russian surname and place name associated with notable historical and cultural references. The most prominent figure bearing the name is Dmitry Ivanovich Pozharsky (c. 1577–1642), a Russian nobleman and military commander who, together with Kuzma Minin, organized Russian volunteer forces to drive out Polish-Lithuanian forces from Moscow in 1612 during the Time of Troubles. Pozharsky’s leadership during the liberation of Moscow is considered a significant episode in early 17th-century Russian history and is commemorated in monuments and national memory.

In Russian cuisine, Pozharsky cutlets (Pozharsky kotleti) are a traditional dish named after Dmitry Pozharsky. They are typically made from ground meat, usually chicken or veal, mixed with onions and sometimes breadcrumbs or a binding agent, formed into cutlets, breaded, and fried. The preparation emphasizes tenderness and a soft texture, and the dish remains a familiar item in classical Russian cooking.

The name Pozharsky also appears in memorial context. A prominent monument in Moscow’s Red Square honors the collaboration of Pozharsky and Minin in the 1612 events, celebrating the collective effort to end foreign occupation and restore order during the Time of Troubles. The surname continues to be used in Russia and is associated with historical, cultural, and culinary references rather than with a single contemporary figure.