Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Novosibirsk State University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The 8th International Scientific and Practical Conference "EAST-FOCUS: Current Issues in the Study of History, International Relations, and Cultures of Eastern Countries" is being held at Novosibirsk State University from October 2-4. The event is dedicated to the 70th birthday of the candidate of historical sciences and professor of the Department of Oriental Studies. Humanities Institute of NSU Sergei Aleksandrovich Komissarov and Andrei Vasilyevich Varenov, PhD in History and Associate Professor of the same department, who dedicated many years of their lives to teaching and research at NSU. The anniversary couple attended the conference's opening ceremony and are actively participating in its work. The event was organized by Novosibirsk State University and the NSU Humanities Institute. Department of Oriental Studies, Novosibirsk State University, Laboratory of Oriental Studies "Orientir" of the Scientific and Educational Center "Applied and Academic Oriental Studies" of the NSU Mining Institute and Scientific, educational and cultural center "Confucius Institute" GI NSU.
Welcoming the participants of the scientific and practical conference, NSU Rector and RAS Academician Mikhail Fedoruk noted the invaluable contribution of the anniversary celebrants to the development of Oriental studies at the university.
"The university's development vector in terms of international cooperation is focused on the East. This trend has been particularly evident recently. This is evidenced by the significant number of students from these countries studying at NSU, as well as active collaboration with Chinese universities, which will only expand in the near future. Conference participants can look forward to two days of intensive work, meaningful meetings, and discussions on current issues in modern Asian studies. I am confident that this conference will be held for many years to come," said Mykhailo Fedoruk.
As Evgeny Sagaydak, Head of the NSU Education Export Department, noted, this conference traditionally brings together not only renowned scholars from Russia and abroad, but also young researchers of the East. It is here that they exchange opinions and identify areas for collaboration. This year, researchers of the East are celebrating two anniversaries.
"Today we celebrate the contributions of Sergei Aleksandrovich Komissarov and Andrei Vasilievich Varenov to Asian studies. I can say without exaggeration that Sergei Aleksandrovich introduced China to our university. He organized the trip of the first official NSU delegation to China. And today, thanks to him, NSU is one of the leaders among all Russian universities in cooperation with China. Since then, we have implemented many joint programs. Let me remind you that 14 years ago, again with the active participation of Sergei Aleksandrovich, our university opened the first joint Russian-Chinese institute," explained Evgeny Sagaydak.
Andrey Zuev, Director of the NSU Humanities Institute, emphasized the expanding geographic reach of the conference participants. He mentioned that the program is increasingly featuring speakers from various Asian studies research centers and universities not only in Russia, but also from Mongolia, China, Central Asian countries, and Israel. This year, a delegation from Myanmar is participating in the conference.
"We are pleased with the high scientific level of the conference's papers, the participation of high-level specialists representing research institutes and universities, and the interest in Asian studies among young people. This means that this field of scholarship will continue to develop successfully," said Andrey Zuev.
Professor Tserennadmid Sukhtulga of the Mongolian State Agrarian University addressed the conference participants via video link.
"From the eastern Urals to Japan and India, as well as all of Central Asia, we are still united by a common culture and history. The renowned Russian historian and orientalist Lev Nikolayevich Gumilev emphasized the importance of the alliance between the peoples of Russia and the Eastern European steppes. He argued that this alliance helped Russia resist Europe. I firmly believe that the research work of our colleagues, orientalists, will help rediscover many forgotten chapters in the history of our peoples and their cultures," said Tserennadmid Sukhtulga.
The plenary session was dedicated to the anniversary celebrants, Sergei Aleksandrovich Komissarov and Andrei Vasilyevich Varenov. Yulia Azarenko, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Oriental Studies and Director of the Confucius Institute of the Novosibirsk State University Institute of Archaeology, and Maria Kudinova, Senior Researcher in the Department of Paleometallic Archaeology at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, dedicated their report to Sergei Aleksandrovich Komissarov. Ekaterina Girchenko, Candidate of Historical Sciences and Researcher in the Department of Stone Age Archaeology at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, spoke about Andrei Vasilyevich Varenov. The celebrants themselves also spoke. Sergei Aleksandrovich Komissarov presented a report entitled "The Magic of Art Deco in Shanghai," and Andrei Vasilyevich Varenov, along with a junior researcher at the "Orientir" laboratory for Oriental Studies, spoke about the Japanese mask theater of Gigaku and its Sanxingdui roots.
On the same day, as part of the conference, an exhibition entitled "Oriental Art Objects in Everyday Life" opened, featuring artifact collections from faculty members of the NSU Institute of Oriental Studies' Department.
The conference is structured around several sections: "Modern and Contemporary History of the Countries of the Near and Far East," "History and Culture of the Countries of the East," "Buddhism in History and Modernity: Philosophy, Culture, Society," "Archaeology and Ancient History of the Countries of the East," "Language and Culture of the Countries of the East," and "Politics, Economics, and International Relations of the Countries of the East."
The conference will conclude with a master class on traditional games of the peoples of Asia, led by Elena Voytishek, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, Director of the Scientific and Educational Center for Applied and Academic Oriental Studies, and Head of the Oriental Studies Department at the Novosibirsk State University Institute of Geology.
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