Russia will mark the 200th anniversary of the Treaty of Gulistan (signed in 1813) in October. A round-table conference attended by historians and specialists for the Caucasus has been organized today to discuss key periods of Dagestan’s merging with Russia, the role of the treaty and challenges the republic faces today.
Shamil Munchayev, deputy head of the History Subdepartment of the RUE named after G.V. Plekhanov, focused on the fact that the Dagestanis were antique people in 1813 and the date was not reflected in any of its literature. He believes that Dagestani President Ramazan Abdulatipov’s calling it a holiday was a very positive step.
Magomed Omarov, a professor of the RUE named after G.V. Plekhanov, said that the problems Dagestan was facing would not disappear with the help of celebrations organized to mark the treaty’s anniversary. Omarov urged historians to consider the problem of alienation between Russians in the context of all-Russian identity.
Alexander Ibragimov, writer, film producer and psychologist, recommended use of basic ethics common for Christianity, Islam and Communists, because they were all the origins of consolidation.
Kazbek Sultanov, head of a section of the Institute for World Literature of the RAS, urged Dagestan to overcome nostalgic conservatism and think about the future as being part of Russia.
Shamil Munchayev believes that philosophers should join the fight against terrorism, because they can prevent young people from joining militants.
