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“Cossacks Abroad.1917–2017: Lessons of the Century”

The Second International Scientific and Practical Conference “Cossacks Abroad. 1917–2017: Lessons of the Century” held on February 18–19, 2017, in the Russian Orthodox Spiritual and Cultural Centre in Paris raised an issue of Cossacks consolidation based on the Russian cultural, historical and spiritual moral traditions. On the one platform it brought together descendants of the Cossack emigrants, representatives of the contemporary Cossack societies and associations, representatives of the State Government bodies, ministers of the Russian Orthodox Church, figures of science, culture and education.

A.I.Studennikov, Minister Counselor of the Russian Embassy in France, opened the conference saying: “In the year of the 100th anniversary of the Revolution we must do our best to take an objective approach to analysis of the century old events without searching for enemies and those guilty, but striving for reconciliation between those who remained in Russia and those who found themselves abroad in foreign countries. In today’s challenging life, the activity of Cossack associations abroad, bringing up Cossack descendants in the traditions of Russian spirituality and culture, in the vocation to serve to the Russian State must strengthen the authority and position of our country.”

O.V.Vasnetsov, Director of DSPO Russian Foreign Ministry, Chairman of the Commission for Promotion and Development of the International Activity of Russian Cossacks of the RF Presidential Council for Cossack Affairs, reminded that namely in Paris there was established the largest post-revolutionary socio-political organization “Cossack Union”, which contributed to the preservation and development of Cossack culture.

“Cossacks again, like in 1812, took over Paris”, said I.A.Shpynyov, Director of the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in France, addressing with a smile to the conference audience. He supported a further cooperation and proposed holding in Paris joint projects from the history of Russian Cossacks and co-working of the Church and Cossacks.

Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk, Chairman of the Synodic Committee for Interaction with Cossacks, underlined in his talk, that the spirit of the Cossacks has survived largely thanks to those who was in emigration. He called the first conference day “a bridge”, which was to connect Cossacks of different countries.

The conference presentations were made by K.A.Markelov, Vice-Governor, Chairman of the Astrakhan Region Government; V.N.Grekov, Chairman of the Association for the Memory of the Life Guards Cossack Regiment of His Majesty; A.K.Sorokin, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Director of the Russian State Archives of the Socio-Political History; A.Y.Soklakov, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Head of the Department of Humanitarian and General Scientific Disciplines of the RF Military Institute, Deputy Supreme Ataman of the Union of Cossacks, Deputy Director of the Scientific Association “Cossack Encyclopedia”; L.V.Kuznetsov, Lieutenant General, Chairman of the Cossack Union of France; M.A.Dzyuba, Cossack Colonel, Ataman of the All-Cossack Union of the Czech Lands and Slovakia.

V.V.Sholokhova, Deputy Director of the National M.A.Sholokhov Museum-Reserve, made her presentation “Preservation and Promotion of Cossack Traditions in the Museum-Reserve of M.A.Sholokhov” to highlight the versatile activity of the Museum on recovering the cultural heritage of the Don Cossacks which aroused a great interest of the audience.

Special guests of the forum were a delegation of the Astrakhan Region including cadets of the Astrakhan Cossack Corps named after ataman I.A.Biryukov, and the ensemble of the traditional Astrakhan Cossack song.

The members of the forum visited the famous Museum of Cossacks Abroad of the Life Guard Cossack Regiment of His Majesty.

The forum was joined by 111 people from Russia, Czechia, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, France, Iran, Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates and Estonia.

Valeriya Sholokhova