On March 29, the National Library of the Chuvash Republic hosted the interregional forum of Chuvash local historians “Local History and Youth: historical Memory and Generational Continuity.” The event was organized by the National Library of the Chuvash Republic and the Union of Chuvash Local Historians.
The major event brought together researchers from their native land – local historians, scientists, teachers, librarians, museum and archival workers, students and schoolchildren – from many municipal districts of the Chuvash Republic, as well as representatives from the Republic of Bashkortostan, Ulyanovsk, Orenburg regions.
The forum opened with a video message from the Honorary Chairman of the Union of Chuvash Local Historians, scientist Vitaly Stanyal. The Aksakal of Chuvash local history emphasized that “the work of local historians is immortal: books about the native land, its people and events remain in the national memory, in archives and libraries.”
The participants were warmly welcomed by Vladimir Tyapkin, a member of the Public Chamber of the Chuvash Republic, who noted the great contribution of researchers from his native land to the preservation and popularization of the historical and cultural heritage of the Chuvash people.
During the forum, the participants discussed the most important aspects of local history activities. Sergey Sorokin, Chairman of the Union of Chuvash Local Historians, called on the audience to actively involve schoolchildren and students in local history work, transfer their experience and knowledge to them, and raise a new generation of local historians.
In order to preserve historical memory, in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Victory, 2025 was declared the Year of Defender of the Fatherland in Russia, and the Year of Victory and Patriotism in Chuvashia. In this regard, journalist Alexander Vrazhkin dedicated his speech to the Heroes of the Soviet Union and Russia – natives of Chuvashia and representatives of the Chuvash diaspora.
Inna Nikonorova, Chairman of the department, Candidate of Geographical Sciences, Associate Professor of the I.N. Ulyanov Chuvash State University, informed about local history projects implemented in 2024 by the Chuvash Republican Branch of the Russian Geographical Society and new initiatives that will help inspire young people to explore their native land, its history and cultural heritage.
School ethnographic museums are unique centers where students can get to know the history and culture of their people. One of the exemplary ones is the ethnographic museum of secondary school No. 60 in Cheboksary, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Lyudmila Fedotova, the head of the museum, spoke about the importance of the museum in the educational process.
Leonid Taymasov, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor of the I.N. Ulyanov Chuvash State University, shared plans for organizing summer ethnographic expeditions with the participation of university students.
Of particular interest was the report by Alexei (Eltiyar) Alexandrov, a journalist and researcher at the Folklore Sector of the Peoples of Siberia at the Institute of Philology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, on rare genres of Chuvash folklore in the early 21st century and the results of an expedition to Chuvashia, Tatarstan, Siberia, and Bashkortostan.
Archaeological local lore is one of the important branches of historical lore. Excavations and exploration work are carried out on the territory of our republic, archaeological sites are being investigated. Vladimir Grigoriev, a junior researcher at the Chuvash State Institute of Humanities, spoke about the involvement of young people in archaeological work.
Journalist and writer Vladislav Nikolaev presented the Russian online encyclopedia “Ruviki” to the participants, invited local historians to join the work on filling the Chuvash section of the site with local history materials.
Genealogy is a serious and fascinating science that connects generations, allowing them to understand their roots and preserve the historical memory of their ancestors. Today’s youth are increasingly interested in genealogy. This is proved by a young genealogist, Deputy Chairman of the Youth Council of the Federal Treasury Department for the Chuvash Republic Ivan Grachev, who has done a lot of work on compiling the pedigrees of the village of Starye Urmary.
Viktor Sorokin, head of the Local History Volunteers public movement, raised the issue of prospects and opportunities for the development of youth local history in Chuvashia.
In the second part of the forum, local historians took part in master classes on genealogy, Chuvash embroidery and spinning, calligraphy, and playing folk musical instruments. In a solemn atmosphere, the most active researchers of their native land were awarded honorary awards, the authors of the best local history books published in 2024 were awarded special diplomas and memorable prizes.
The interregional Forum of Chuvash Local Historians was fruitful: the participants analyzed current issues, exchanged experiences, discovered a lot of new things, and were inspired to continue their work.