History of Russia: World Association of Russian Press to create World War I databank

The World Association of Russian Press (WARP) has teamed up with Itar-Tass and the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) to set up a large databank, which will help to restore the chronicle of events of World War I, WARP President, Itar-Tass Director General Vitaly Ignatenko said at the international research conference devoted to the First World War.

“This year we begin to create a large databank, which will help us restore the chronicle of the war events,” he said. “We will face the challenge in cooperation with the Academy of Sciences and foreign archives.”

The memory of World War I was reflected, in the first place, in the emigre literature, political journalism, art, the WARP head stressed, adding that today this issue remains one of the most urgent for the organization, which currently brings together 68 countries. “The dates are marked, the names of heroes are returned,” Vitaly Ignatenko said. “Last year the whole press published 830 materials which turned the spotlight on the First World War. They are different, many of them do not carry any scientific historical information, but it is an important part of our memory, awareness of involvement in the destiny of the Fatherland.”