By Vestnik Kavkaza
Yesterday all alumni and students of the History Department of the MSU marked its 80th anniversary. “The founder of Moscow University, Lomonosov, took an interest in history. His book titled “The History of the Russian State” played a very important role in establishing the national self-consciousness of our country. The book was not only about history, but it was a hymn to patriotism, a hymn to our country, to our nation. The book contains many thoughts about ecology, economics, demography, the individual,” Victor Sadovnichy, president of the MSU, said. “He wrote in the book that history has educational importance along with scientific. It gives governors examples of governance, subjects – obedience, warriors – courage, judges – justice, young men – the wisdom of the old, the old – firmness in giving advice.”
“80 years ago a decision was made to return history as a subject to schools and universities,” Sergei Naryshkin, the speaker of the State Duma, chairman of the Russian History Society, said. “We have no right to idealize the life of our country 80 years ago, but we should admit that it was a right step toward historic succession, which was necessary for an independent presentation and perception of history.”
Speaking about history, Naryshkin touched on the situation in Ukraine: “If we look at the Ukrainian crisis in general, I think it was caused by mistakes in the humanitarian policy of the Kiev authorities. They accumulated in the spheres of history, science and education. It is not right to raise generations on fake heroes and unworthy examples. It is unacceptable to praise bandits and fascists. It is dangerous to play with such things. Now the whole of Ukrainian society has to deal with the consequences. I hope that the brotherly Ukrainian nation will find a way out of the deadlock.”
According to Naryshkin, “the attention of Russian society to its past is higher than in other countries, while the attitude of our citizens to Victory Day is the perfect example of what our national memory is for Russia, how important it is for all generations of Russian citizens. The interest of Russian society in history is obvious. It is important to present precise truthful scientific knowledge instead of patchy information to society. There are many threats in the sphere: from the problem of preservation of archeological monuments to pseudo-science and deliberate falsifications.”
