Three Conspiracy Theories: “The End of Times,” the Misfortunes of the Aryan Race, and the Cunning Khazars. A lecture by Viktor Shnirelman

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Hear a lecture on some of the most popular conspiracy theories in Russia.

The shift toward traditionalism and the policy of cultural isolation in Russia does not necessarily lead to a rejection of European legacy. Bitter about its excommunication (be it real or imaginary) from the European civilization, Russian society is looking for consolation in the myth of traditional values uncorrupted by the rotting West. This is the kind of discourse typical of postcolonial societies. What distinguishes Russia from countries like Turkey and Bolivia is the absence of the real sociological referent behind the aborigine figure. Nevertheless, the majority of Russian intelligentsia are busy looking for this aborigine in themselves and in their compatriots in order to then either try and chase the aborigine away or, on the contrary, declare him the bearer of true values. The struggle between westernizers and slavophiles, which has lost any historical sense, continues in the absence of any real national agenda.

ABOUT THE LECTURER

 

Viktor Shnirelman is a doctor of history, and the head of research at the Ethnology and Anthropology Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He is the author of over 400 publications, including over 300 books on sociocultural anthropology and contemporary ethnic politics. Recently, he has been specializing in the questions of ethnicity and nationalism, ethnocentric histories, ethnic conflict ideologies, racism and xenophobia in modern Russian. 

How to take part

Admission free, please register in advance

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