Primakov Center Hosts Local History Video Seminar with Russian House in Paris

A joint session of Unitis and FranClub was held at the Primakov Center. The event featured an engaging local history video seminar, exploring Samara’s history and culture through the lens of its connections to France. Organized in collaboration with the Russian House in Paris, the seminar brought together experts and history enthusiasts from both countries.

We were delighted to welcome a full hall of attentive listeners eager to delve into the fascinating narratives of the past. The seminar was both informative and dynamic, thanks to the outstanding presentations by our speakers:

·         Elena Shleenkova (Associate Professor at the Department of Russian History and Historiography, Samara University) delivered a captivating lecture on Kuibyshev (Samara’s Soviet-era name) as the wartime reserve capital during the Great Patriotic War, highlighting the city’s pivotal role in the nation’s history.

·         Elena Vyaltsova (Chief Specialist of the Special Projects Department at the Tretyakov Gallery’s Samara branch) enthralled the audience with insights into the development of Constructivism in Samara and the establishment of the Tretyakov Gallery branch in the historic Factory-Kitchen building.

Key topics discussed during the seminar included:

·         Architectural Gems of Samara with French Influences: Participants learned how French motifs shaped the city’s architectural landscape.

·         Little-Known Historical Ties between Samara and France: Speakers shared unique stories and facts that expanded perspectives on shared history.

We extend our gratitude to all attendees for their active participation and thoughtful contributions. Special thanks to the Russian House in Paris for their collaboration in making this remarkable event possible.

We believe this video seminar has strengthened cultural ties between Russia and France while inspiring deeper interest in local history. Stay tuned for upcoming events at the Primakov Center—there’s always something enlightening on the horizon!

Text by Guzaliya Shakurova, Group 5201-460401D