The Presidential Library's video lecture marking the 800th anniversary of the Battle of the Kalka River

On October 23, 2023 at 11:00 Moscow time, a lecture on the history of the Battle of the Kalka River will be held in the Presidential Library as part of the video lecture Knowledge of Russia.

The Battle of the Kalka River, which took place in 1223, was the first clash between Russian and Mongol troops. It can rightfully be considered one of the saddest events in the military history of Russia, which preceded the further period of Mongol rule.

Researcher, historian, author of the book “Rus' and the Mongol Invasion (20–50s of the 13th century)”, published in 2020, Denis Khrustalev will present chronological and topographical versions of the battle, reveal such important aspects as date, place, course of the battle and its meaning. 

In his speech, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Culture and Psychology of Entrepreneurship at the Institute of Economics and Entrepreneurship of Lobachevsky Nizhny Novgorod State University Andrei Kuznetsov will talk “about the defeat at the Kalka River: the search for those responsible and an attempt at literary revenge”. Russian culture has been turning to understanding this tragic event for many centuries. In Russian chronicles they tried to answer the question, when and why did the decline of the “golden” and great Rus' begin? Among other things, the answer was also sought in the Battle of the Kalka River. They put forward different versions of this event, named those responsible for the defeat and came up with different ways to “punish” them; stories arose that compensated for the tragedy, balancing it with other victories and successes.

The event is free. The meeting will be broadcast on the Presidential ‘s portal in Live broadcasts section in accordance with the program of live events, as well as on the institution’s Rutube-channel, on the social networks VKontakte and Odnoklassniki. 

The Presidential Library regularly holds video lectures. The detailed information is available on the institution’s portal in the Video Lectures section and in the Video Lectures for School section. Video recordings of lectures and open lessons are also available here. 

Accreditation of media representatives is until 12:00 October 20, 2023

Please forward applications for accreditation following the attached form marked Media Accreditation at media@prlib.ru, dyatko@prlib.ru Olga Dyatko, tel.: (812) 305-16-21, ext. 190; mob. +7 (900) 658-48-32.

The letter should contain the full name, date and place of birth, passport data (series, number, place of registration), a list of carry-on equipment, contact phone numbers, the name of the media.

We draw the attention of the media representatives that it is necessary to forward applications for accreditation and arrive at the event in advance.

Entrance to the Presidential Library is carried out only by prior registration and upon showing a passport: for media representatives - through entrance № 2, participants and guests of the event - through entrance № 1.

In order to reduce risks of the spread of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the use of personal protective equipment during the event is mandatory for all attendees.