International events: Conference “Voltaire and Russian historiography of 18th c.” in St. Petersburg

The International scientific conference entitled “Voltaire’s Readings 2010: Voltaire and Russian historiography of 18th c.” is taking place on November 11-12 2010 in the main building of the National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg).

The conference is dedicated to one of the most important works of the French enlightener – “History of the Russian Empire during Peter the Great”, as well as other philosopher’s works which touch upon Russia.

Voltaire appeared as a creator of a positive portrait of the Russian monarch-reformer – the Empress Catherine the Great and favorable image of Russia as a whole.

Reports concerning various aspects of the European French-language “Rossica” of 18th c. will be delivered at the conference. The conference will contribute to a better understanding of key events in the history of Russia and West Europe during the time of Peter the Great.

The conference has brought together researchers from St. Petersburg, Moscow, Samara, Tula, Saratov, as well as French universities of Paris, Dunkirk, and Nantes.

The International conference has been organized by the National Library of Russia jointly with the French Institute in St. Petersburg.