The Presidential Library’s conference dedicated to the turning point year of the Great Patriotic War

On October 20, 2023, the All-Russian scientific conference “1943 is the year of a decisive turning point in the history of the Great Patriotic War. Marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of Soviet troops in the Battles of Stalingrad and Kursk and the breaking of the siege of Leningrad” was held at the Presidential Library. The co-organizer of the event was the Russian Military Historical Society.

Director General of the Presidential Library Yuri Nosov noted in his welcoming speech: “Our institution pays mucht attention to the events of the Great Patriotic War. Since 2020, together with the Federal Archival Agency, the collection “World War II in Archival Documents (a collection of digitized archival documents, film and photo materials)” has been formed. It became one of eleven collections, references to which were included in the new unified history textbooks for senior pupils. Almost every sixth QR-code in textbooks points to documents from the Presidential Library”. He also stressed that it was extremely important that both the younger and older generations can access reliable primary sources, including archival documents. 

The defeat of the Nazi troops by the Soviet army in the Battles of Stalingrad and Kursk, as well as the breaking of the siege of Leningrad, played a special role in achieving Victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945). In connection with the 80th anniversary of these major military and political events, historians, scientists, and researchers will discuss in the Presidential Library the significance of 1943 as a turning point in the confrontation with Nazi Germany

Reports about the conduct of military operations of the armed forces of the USSR in 1943, which were of decisive importance in the Battles of Stalingrad and Kursk, breaking the siege of Leningrad, were presented.

The event participants learned about the work of intelligence and counterintelligence, international relations during the period under review, the work of the home front, culture and education in 1943, and also discussed projects and events dedicated to the memorable events of 1943.

The detailed conference program will be available at the link.

The plenary session is available on the Presidential Library's Rutube-channel.