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From: On all aspects of Russia and the FSU
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Robert Chandler
Sent: Friday, October 10, 2014 9:49 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Pushkin House, 15 Oct, "Teaching Patriotism in Today's Russia"
 
Lake Seliger: Teaching Patriotism in Today's Russia

Pushkin House, 5a Bloomsbury Square, London, WC1A 2TA
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
7:30pm 9:00pm
 <http://www.pushkinhouse.org/events/> http://www.pushkinhouse.org/events/
(You need to scroll down a little)
I have heard Kristina speak and she is very good.  Very brave.  It is I who
invited her to speak on 15th.  (Robert Chandler)
 
Many political commentators claim that Russia has entered the era of a new
national awakening. Indeed, current Russian elites encourage a strong sense
of patriotism among the citizenry. Perhaps most of all they focus on
educating the contemporary youth. Every year, thousands of young Russians
gather at lake Seliger to attend a week-long forum. At the camp they learn
not only about the ways how to make a change in contemporary Russia, but
also about Russia's place in the today's world, the importance of national
pride and about the threats to Russian sovereignty.

Kristiina Silvan attended the forum in 2013 to collect data for her
undergraduate dissertation, focusing on the views of young Russians
vis-á-vis civil society. This talk will discuss not only the results of her
study, but also her experience of the forum itself; the experience of
becoming subject to a completely different worldview and the impact this
alien identity-building had on her.

Kristiina Silvan is a recent graduate from the University of Glasgow, where
she did a joint MA degree in Russian language and Central & East European
Studies. She is currently studying International relations and European
studies in the Central European University in Budapest. Her academic
interests include the contemporary Russia–Europe relations, Russian civil
society and Russian public opinion.