Georgia (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The devastating war with Ukraine proved to be a disaster for Russia itself. In discussions about this calamity, a prevalent view emerges concerning its historical and social underpinnings: Russian authoritarian “historical rut”, and its distinctive national “mentality” characterized by a blend of insecurity and a perceived superiority towards outsiders. Must Russia’s present and future inevitably mirror its past, or is a change in the trajectory possible?
The Bazaleti Uni Summer School, titled “Penumbra: Against Historical Fatalism,” aims to explore these entrenched narratives shaping contemporary understanding of Russians’ societal position and responsibilities.
Each day of the program is dedicated to addressing specific questions:
- How do institutions of violence function?
- How are Russian public beliefs and social groups structured?
- Why do we continually turn to history?
- How do significant historical events influence personal strategies and professions?
- What contributions can Russian emigrants in Europe make to encourage Russian society to reassess the war with Ukraine and mitigate its consequences?
Speakers at the event include cultural historian Andrei Zorin, political scientist Kirill Rogov, sociologist Ella Paneyakh, Journalist Alexandra Livergant, rector of the Free University of Tbilisi Vato Lezhava, social entrepreneur Grigory Sverdlin, and others.
The school will take place in Georgia, 40 km from Tbilisi, at Lake Bazaleti, from August 26 to 30. The program will be conducted in Russian. Admission is free, but prospective students must undergo a competitive selection process. Applications will be accepted until August 1. To apply, please, visit the School’s website.
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Bazaleti Uni is an online educational project that aims to integrate knowledge about the structure of the surrounding world with the values of civic participation and active entrepreneurship skills. The creators of Bazaleti University state, “The project is targeted towards the Russian-speaking community, primarily to the citizens of Russia who are seeking to comprehend the underlying reasons for current events and aspire to identify the next historical opportunity for their country.”
Contacts: info@bazaleti.university
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