In memoriam: Izzaddin Mustafa Rasul (1934-2019), Iraqi Kurdish man of letters and Soviet-trained scholar

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-128
Author(s):  
Nodar Mossaki
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Early Modern ◽  
Major Work ◽  
Literary Works ◽  
Developmental Framework ◽  
Rare Exception ◽  
The Soviet Union ◽  
In Memoriam ◽  
Oriental Studies

The literary scholar Izzaddin Mustafa Rasul (1934-2019) was one of the greatest Iraqi Kurdish scholars trained in the Soviet Union. He was one of a cohort of Iraqi students who received scholarships for study in the USSR in the wake of the 1958 coup that overthrew the Iraqi monarchy, and his time in the USSR coincided with the period of flourishing of Kurdish studies there. Rasul’s PhD dissertation analyzed the development of Kurdish literature within a schematic Marxist-Leninist developmental framework. In his major work, however, which focused on Ahmed Khani and his Mem û Zîn, he went well beyond the standard Soviet treatment of literary works and focused especially on the dimensions of Sufi theosophy and other Islamic content in the work. In this respect, Rasul’s work stands out as a rare exception in Soviet Oriental studies. It remains one of the most ambitious studies of the early modern Kurdish poet Khani.

Soviet Indologists and the Institute of Oriental Studies: Works on Contemporary India in the Soviet Union

1983 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nisha Sahai-Achuthan
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Academic Training ◽  
Organizational Growth ◽  
The Soviet Union ◽  
Soviet Ideology ◽  
Oriental Studies

In this article the author studies the main trends in the evolution of modern Soviet Indology in the context of developments in Soviet Oriental studies and examines the extent to which both these were conditioned in turn by shifts in Soviet ideology. The development of Soviet Indology is further examined within the context of the organizational growth of the Institute of Oriental Studies (IVAN) and the evolving expertise of Soviet Indologists on contemporary India (along with a study of patterns in the academic training of these scholars). The author thus investigates both the intellectual and organizational bases contributing to the growth of Soviet Indology in an integrated and interconnected manner.

scholarly journals Sputnik’s Children: History of the Major Work Program in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Schools, 1954–1972

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reesa Sorin
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cold War ◽  
Soviet Union ◽  
The United States ◽  
Major Work ◽  
Integrated Education ◽  
Work Program ◽  
Canadian Education ◽  
The Soviet Union ◽  
The Cold War

Set in the context of the Cold War, the space race, and the 1957 Soviet launch of the Sputnik satellite, interest in gifted education, which had waned in the years leading up to the Second World War, was once again reignited in Canadian education. North America looked to its human capital, particularly in the areas of mathematics, science, and engineering to keep up with the Soviets. Departments of education in Canada and the United States prioritized the identification and nurturing of the “best and brightest” students for the sake of the nation. The Major Work program in Winnipeg, which began in 1954 and ended rather abruptly in 1972, seventeen years before the end of the Cold War, was one of many gifted programs introduced in Canada and the United States in an attempt to address the supposed innovation gap with the Soviet Union. This article looks at the rise of Winnipeg’s Major Work program in the 1950s, when society-centred rhetoric replaced earlier child-centred rhetoric and then itself was overridden by the 1970s social, economic, and political reforms, which again tended towards child-centred, integrated education.

scholarly journals In Memoriam: Donald W. Treadgold (1922–1994): Teacher, Scholar, Humanist

1995 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-260
Author(s):  
Henry R. Huttenbach
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Human Person ◽  
Collective Actions ◽  
Moral Agents ◽  
The Soviet Union ◽  
Political Struggles ◽  
In Memoriam ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Right ◽  
Good And Evil

Don—by which name I knew him since I became his graduate student in 1956—belonged to a rare breed of academicians: he was a devout man for whom the personal adventure of life and human history in its totality had a moral dimension; in his quest for understanding himself and others, there was always an underlying moral drama; there was not just the realm of the true and the false but also a fundamental layer of the right and the wrong. For Don, there was always the issue of good and evil. In the end, men and women, the lofty, such as Stolypin (about whom he wrote insightfully), and the humble, such as the Russian peasants in Siberia (to whom he also gave considerable scholarly attention), all were accountable for their individual and collective actions. We are all free moral agents, he observed, including Lenin (about whose early political struggles he wrote brilliantly). It is a perspective Don never abandoned as the Soviet Union dissolved into the amorphous and morally complex post-Soviet era, a characteristic which qualified Don as a persistent humanist. The individual human person endowed with the capacity to sustain immutable moral values was Don's ultimate interest as an historian and teacher.

Transcultural Chukotka: Transfer and Exchange in Northeastern Asia, 1900-1945

2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-248
Author(s):  
Ivan Sablin
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Indigenous People ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Material Objects ◽  
Social Discourse ◽  
Northeastern Asia ◽  
Literary Works ◽  
The Soviet Union

In the 1920s – 1940s the indigenous peoples of Chukotka, the northeastern extremity of Asia, were subjugated by the Soviet Union. This article takes a transcultural look at this process and seeks to explore what interactions shaped the region in pre- and early Soviet periods and what was exchanged through these interactions at different times. The cultural flows under study include those of material objects, diseases, language, institutions and ideas. A great deal of attention has been paid to the reception of exchange in indigenous communities, which was reconstructed based on memories and literary works of indigenous people of Eskimo, Chukchi and Even origin. The article aims to incorporate the case of Chukotka, which was subject to “socialist colonization”, into international cultural and social discourse and seeks to test transcultural methodology in a non-capitalist context.

scholarly journals The Immortal Host of Prince Igor

2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 883-903
Author(s):  
Evgeny A. Rostovtsev ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Russian Literature ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Soviet Period ◽  
Literary Works ◽  
150Th Anniversary ◽  
The Soviet Union ◽  
Great Patriotic War ◽  
The Revolution

The attention of the author of this paper is focused on “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign” (Slovo o polku Igoreve), a famous work of Russian literature. Before the revolution the text was included in the school curriculum, and within the period of 1850–1917 its separate editions exceeded 150. The early Soviet period was marked by a brief decline of the popularity of the “Tale”, but since mid-1930s, the number of its separate editions started to grow, and the negative or indifferent comments on Prince Igor Sviatoslavich in Soviet encyclopedias were replaced by the favorable ones. The heroization of its characters during the Great Patriotic War also contributed to the popularity of the “Tale”. After the war, “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign” was effectively used again as a symbol of the unity of three brotherly nations — Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian. The celebrations of different anniversaries, such as the 750th anniversary of the “Tale” and 150th anniversary of its first publication were also typical of the Soviet era. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the “Tale” has become an object of rivalry between Russia and Ukraine. Each country claims to be the only true heir of the “Tale”, actively contributing to its popularization via publications, the organization of commemorative events and the introduction of its text into school curriculums. However, further prospects of the “Tale” commemoration-wise are quite obscure — the article argues that the “Tale” (as well as many other literary works) does not constitute an effective tool for building of national past.

scholarly journals Tangut (Xi Xia) Studies in the Soviet Union: Quinta Essentia of Russian Oriental Studies

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 178-196
Author(s):  
Sergey Dmitriev
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
International Affairs ◽  
Saint Petersburg ◽  
The Soviet Union ◽  
Long Time ◽  
History Of ◽  
Post War ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Oriental Studies ◽  
Almost All

Grace to the famous discovery of Piotr Kozlov’s expedition, a very rich collection of various Tangut books in a mausoleum in the dead city of Khara-Khoto was found in 1908, and almost all the texts in the Tangut language were then assembled in Saint-Petersburg. Because of this situation Russian Tangutology became one of the most important in the world very fast, and Russian specialists, especially Alexej Ivanov, did the first steps to understanding the Tangut language and history, which had for a very long time been hidden from humanity.This tradition persisted in the Soviet Union. Nikolaj Nevskij in 1929 returned to Russia from Japan, where he had stayed after 1917, mainly to continue his Tangut researches. But in 1937, during Stalin’s Purge, he was arrested and executed, Ivanov too. The line of tradition was broken for almost twenty years, and only the 1960s saw the rebirth of Russian Tangutology. The post-War generation did a gigantic work, raising Tangut Studies to a new level. Unfortunately, they almost had no students or successors.The dramatic history of Tangut Studies in Russia could be viewed like a real quinta essentia of the fate of Oriental Studies in Russia – but all the changes and tendencies are much more demonstrative of this example.Mongolian Journal of International Affairs Vol.19 2014: 178-196

scholarly journals Medicines and life (to the 100th anniversary of Professor Irina Vitalievna Zaikonnikova)

2021 ◽  
Vol 102 (6) ◽  
pp. 960-963
Author(s):  
R S Garaev ◽  
A U Ziganshin
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activity ◽  
Soviet Union ◽  
Blood Vessels ◽  
Organophosphorus Compounds ◽  
100Th Anniversary ◽  
Common Interest ◽  
Medical Institute ◽  
Major Work ◽  
The Soviet Union ◽  
High Concentrations

Irina Vitalevna Zaikonnikova is a well-known Soviet pharmacologist, headed the Department of Pharmacology of the Kazan State Medical Institute between 1968 and 1989. The topic of I.V. Zaikonnikovas Ph.D. thesis was The influence of dikain on blood vessels and its relationship with adrenaline. In her dissertation, Irina Vitalievna found that dicaine dilates blood vessels in low concentrations and causes their constriction in high concentrations. The thesis was successfully defended in 1947. In the 50s of the last century in Kazan, for the first time in the Soviet Union, the study of the biological activity of organophosphorus compounds was begun. A large experimental material concerning the correlation between the biological activity and chemical structure of compounds was summarized in his doctoral dissertation Pharmacological characteristics of a number of dialkylphosphinic acid esters, which I.V. Zaikonnikova defended in 1968. At the Department of Pharmacology, which she headed since 1968, a close-knit team was formed, united by a common interest the search and development of new potential drugs. This major work resulted in the creation of cidiphos, glycifon, phosphabenzide, and dimephosphon organophosphorus compounds of a new type, which mechanism of action is not associated with inhibition of the activity of acetylcholinesterase. In addition, drugs that did not belong to organophosphates were created the daytime tranquilizer mebikar, a regeneration stimulator with the immunomodulatory effect of xymedon. At present, the Department of Pharmacology of Kazan State Medical University continues the scientific traditions of our outstanding predecessors.

scholarly journals In memoriam Kamal Mazhar Ahmad (1937-2021), doyen of Kurdish historians

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-241
Author(s):  
Martin Van Bruinessen
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Academic Institutions ◽  
The Soviet Union ◽  
Postgraduate Studies ◽  
In Memoriam

The Iraqi Kurdish historian Kamal Mazhar Ahmad (1937-2021) was probably one of the best known and most productive historians. He belonged to the first generation of Iraqis to pursue postgraduate studies in the Soviet Union, and when he was allowed to return to Iraq in 1970, he played a crucial role in the institutionalization of academic institutions and disciplines there and acted as an intermediary between Iraqi Kurdish and Soviet academic circles. As a lecturer and later professor at Baghdad University, he trained thousands of (Arab and Kurdish) students.  Abstract in Kurmanji Bi bîranîna Kemal Mezher Ehmed (1937-2021), duayenê dîroknasên kurd Dîroknasê Kurd ê Iraqê Kemal Mezher Ehmed (1937-2021), bê guman dîroknasê Kurdan ê herî berhemdar û bi bandor bû. Ew ji neslê ewil ê Iraqiyan bû ku li Yekîtiya Sovyetê di asta lîsansa bilind de xwendiye û, dema ku li sala 1970î destûra vegera li Iraqê wergirt, wî li wir roleke mezin di sazûmaniya babet û saziyên akademîk de leyist, û her weha navbênkariya derdorên akademîk ên Kurdî-Iraqî û Sovyetî kiriye. Wek dersdar û, bi pey re, profesor li Zanîngeha Bexdayê, wî bi hezaran xwendekar (hem Ereb hem Kurd) jî perwerde kirine. Abstract in Sorani Yadkirdnewey Kemal Mezher Ehmed (1937-2021), diyartirîn mêjûnûse Kurdekan Mêjûnûsî benawbengî kurd Kemal Mezher Ehmed (1937-2021) yekêk bû le diyartirîn û karîgertirîn mêjûnûsekanî kurd. Yekêk bû le yekemîn newey ‘Êraqî ke xwêndinî ballay le Yekêtî Sovyet be dest hênawe. Ü katêk rêgay pêdra bgerrêtewe bo ‘Êraq le sallî 1970 da, rollêkî karîgerî bînî le be damezrawekirdnî nawende ekadîmyekan û beşe zanistyekan lew wllate da. Û herweha bû be nawendkarêk le nêwan ekadîmanî kurdî ‘Êraq û Yekêtî Sovyet da. Wekû mamostayekî zanko û paşan wek profîsorêk le Zankoy Bexdad, hezaran xwêndkarî kurd û ‘erebî perwerde û fêrkirdwe. Abstract in Zazaki Seba yadkerdişê Kemal Mezhar Ahmadî (1937-2021), duayenê tarîxnasanê kurdan Beno ke tarîxnasê kurdanê Îraqî Kemal Mezhar Ahmad (1937-2021) tarîxnasê kurdan o tewr berhemdar û tesîrdar bî. O neslê îraqijan ê verênî ra bî ke Yewîya Sovyetan de perwerdeyê lîsansê berzî wendbî. Wexto ke serra 1970î de destûr dîya ci ke agêro Îraq, uca dezgesazîya beş û enstîtuyanê akademîkan de rolêko elzem ard ca û mîyanê akademîsyananê kurdanê Îraqî û Sovyetan de mabênkarîye kerde. Sey dersdayox û dima zî sey profesorê Unîversîteya Bexdadî, ey bi hezaran wendekarî (ereb û kurdî) perwerde kerdî.  

scholarly journals Sputnik’s Children: History of the Major Work Program in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Schools, 1954–1972

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reesa Sorin
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cold War ◽  
Soviet Union ◽  
The United States ◽  
Major Work ◽  
Integrated Education ◽  
Work Program ◽  
Canadian Education ◽  
The Soviet Union ◽  
The Cold War

Set in the context of the Cold War, the space race, and the 1957 Soviet launch of the Sputnik satellite, interest in gifted education, which had waned in the years leading up to the Second World War, was once again reignited in Canadian education. North America looked to its human capital, particularly in the areas of mathematics, science, and engineering to keep up with the Soviets. Departments of education in Canada and the United States prioritized the identification and nurturing of the “best and brightest” students for the sake of the nation. The Major Work program in Winnipeg, which began in 1954 and ended rather abruptly in 1972, seventeen years before the end of the Cold War, was one of many gifted programs introduced in Canada and the United States in an attempt to address the supposed innovation gap with the Soviet Union. This article looks at the rise of Winnipeg’s Major Work program in the 1950s, when society-centred rhetoric replaced earlier child-centred rhetoric and then itself was overridden by the 1970s social, economic, and political reforms, which again tended towards child-centred, integrated education.

Muscovy

2020 ◽  
pp. 319-357
Author(s):  
Daniel B. Rowland
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Early Modern ◽  
Political Thought ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Early Modern Period ◽  
Modern Period ◽  
The Soviet Union ◽  
Government Supervision ◽  
The Subject ◽  
And Function

This chapter reviews the nature of the Russian polity in the early modern period and the nature and function of political thought within that polity. It looks at interpretations of the early modern period that became the subject of government supervision following the 1917 Revolution, which had the effect of imposing a crude Marxist framework on interpretations of Muscovite history and Muscovite political thought. It also cites texts on political subjects that were seen as products of a class war, chiefly between proponents of the centralizing government and supporters of a conservative boyar opposition. The chapter talks about historians in the West that oppose the formerly dominant image of an all-powerful government commanding a powerless, supine society. It analyses the cultural context for political thinking in Muscovy that was neglected by political necessity in the Soviet Union.

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