Youth in Russia: the Past and the Present

The collection represents the history of relations between the state and youth in Russia. Supporting young people in their desire for creative activity, taking into account their needs and interests, has been one of the priorities of the authorities in Russia at all times.

The activities of the state in educating young people in the 19th century were reflected in many documents. Archival document from 1859 illustrates the preparation of young people for civil service, on the pages of which the prominent statesman P. G. Oldenburgsky expresses his thoughts about what skills and qualities a future official should have.

Archives of the Department of Public Instruction from the 1850s to the 1910s represent the evolution of attitudes towards education and upbringing of youth: universities are becoming more accessible, new professional schools are appearing and youth organizations are appearing for the first time in the Russian Empire. Among them are the Youth League, the Mayak society and the Russian Falcon, which continued its work in exile until the 1930s.

The Soviet era was the era of the heyday of government attention to youth, especially workers and peasants. This was reflected in the official resolutions of the Communist Party, speeches and articles by V. I. Lenin, J. V. Stalin, M. I. Kalinin, S. M. Kirov and other political figures. The most important role in the state was played by the pioneer and Komsomol organizations, which united almost all the youth of the USSR.

Modern youth is shown in the materials of scientific conferences and studies that pay special attention to the issues of self-realization of youth, their political and religious views, and participation in the volunteer movement.