International conferences: History of Russian America’s discovery discussed in Vologda

The international scientific conference “Russian North in the history of Russian-American relations” will take place on October 6-7 2010 at the Vologda State Pedagogical University.

The conference marks 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations establishment between Russia and the United States and comes as a final event in series of scientific forums and anniversary events, which have been being organized during last three years in the North-West of Russia by the U.S. General Consulate in St. Petersburg.

The conference has been jointly organized by the U.S. General Consulate in St. Petersburg, Vologda Oblast Administration, Education Department of Vologda Oblast, Vologda regional branch of the All-Russian Public Organization “Russian Geographic Society”. It will bring together eminent scholars from the USA, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Arkhangelsk, Vologda, Velikiy Ustyug, Vyatka, Ryazan, Syktyvkar, Totma, Cherepovets and other Russian towns.

The theme of the conference represents the existence of fruitful contacts between two nations long before 1810 and is called to bring into focus the significance of the Russian North in establishment and consolidation of relations in 18th – 20th cc. Vologda is inseparably linked with the names of many people, who performed a significant role in the history of Russian America (M. Nevodchikov, I.A. Kuskov, M.M. Buldakov, N.I. Korobitsyn etc). During 19th – 20th cc. Vologda and other towns of the Russian North were of a great importance in development of Russian-American relations. The U.S. Embassy in Russia in 1918 was located in Vologda. During the Great Patriotic War close cooperation was being developed between two countries, where the European North was playing an important role.

At the conference participants will turn the spotlight on topical issues of history of Russian-American relations. It will promote additional opportunities for cooperation between Vologda and cultural, educational and research centers of Russia and the United States.