Title of the conference
Russian Orientalists and Kurdistan: role and effects of the Russian orientalists in introducing the Kurds and the cause of Kurdistan
Embedded Files
"The Role and Influence of Russian Orientalists in Introducing the Kurds and the Kurdistan Cause” International Conference wraps up its work
"The Role and Influence of Russian Orientalists in Introducing the Kurds and the Kurdistan Cause” International Conference wraps up its work
2024-09-30
“The Role and Influence of Russian Orientalists in Introducing the Kurds and the Kurdistan Cause” International Conference concluded its work on Monday, September 30th, 2024, sponsored by Kurdistan Media Network. The conference was jointly organized in Erbil, the capital city of the Kurdistan Region, by Soran University and the Institute of Oriental Studies of the “Russian Academy of Sciences”, in coordination with the Kurdistan Regional Government's representative in Russia.
The second day of the Conference featured five-panel discussions. The first panel was moderated by Dr. Dilsoz Jalal in which AP.Dr. Yuri Avrianov, lecturer. Arina Asilgozina, Dr. Irina Serenco, Dr. Natalia Zamaraeva particpated. Several topics were discussed. These include Yarsani's (Kakayis’) manuscripts of holy texts (Kalam) and Sultan Sahak's character, the language as a reflection of the political situation in Kurdistan, Kurds, and the Kurdish Cause in Pakistan.
The second panel was moderated by Dr. Chinor Jaafar in which Prof.Dr. Kaywan Azad Anwar, Lecturer Saman Osman Ali, AP.Dr. Kamran Aziz Abdullah, AP.Dr. Qadir Mohammad Qadir and Luqman Mahmoud Qassem participated. The panel discussed issues of Shia religion in the records of Russian orientalists, medieval Shia beliefs from the point of view of Russian orientalists, Kurdish tribes from the point of view of Russian orientalists from 1850-1950, and the ancient Kurdish history in Russian Kurdologists’ thought.
The third panel moderated by Dr.Rebaz Dlawar, saw the participation of Prof.Dr. Ismail Hassaf, AP.Dr. Shakhawan Abdullah Sabir, Faraidoon Samaan, and Payveen Nasrat Badi. The panel highlighted several topics: The Role of Russian and Soviet Kurdology in the Development of the Kurdish Cause, The Role of the Kurdish section of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Academy of Sciences of Saint Petersburg, the Russian School of Oriental Studies in the field of research about the Kurdish Nation 1959-1985, Kurdish language and culture in the Caucasus and Central Asia and What makes Russian School of Oriental Studies differ from other schools of oriental studies of the Kurdish nation.
The fourth panel was moderated by Dr. Ibrahim Mala Zada. Dr. Sherwan Hussain Shinak, AP. Dr. Hemin Mohammad Ismail, Dr. Karzan Omar Ali, Dr. Rebin Saeed Awla, and Awat Mohammad Othman took part. The panel discussed the importance and place of the Kurdistan region from the perspective of Russian orientalists and Russian foreign policy, the problem of Iraqi Kurdistan in the strategy of the Soviet Union and the challenges faced by the United States during the wartime, and the issue of Kurdistan's independence from the viewpoint of Russian officers and orientalists and the Role and Status of the Red Kurdistan in the Soviet Union.
The Fifth and final panel of the second day of the conference was moderated by AP. Dr. Media Ibrahim. AP.Dr. Amanj Hassan Ahmed, AP.Dr. Majid Khalil Fatah, AP.Dr. Shukhan Mahmoud Hussein, AP.Dr. Dara Tawfiq Kakamin Mansour Siddiqui and lecturer Kaywan Siddiq Mohammed participated.
At the closing panel, several topics related to women were discussed:Tthe character of Kurdish women in the eyes of Russian orientalists, a socio-historical study, The role and place of Kurdish women in the eyes of Russian orientalists in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and Lerkh and his famous book and his ethnography of Trans Caucasus Kurds in the Caucasus newspaper articles 1846-1900.
At the end of the second day of the Conference, Its recommendations were read in Kurdish and Russian. Later, the participation certificates were distributed to participants in all the panels on the two-day conference.
The Kurdistan Regional Government's representative in Russia extended its thanks and appreciation to Soran University. In the latter section, certificates were distributed to members of the Scientific Committee, the Preparatory Committee for the Conference, and Soran University volunteers.
Introduction
At a time, when Kurdistan was less being recognized in the world academic circles, Russian orientalists conducted valuable research on Kurdistan and elevated the status of Kurds at the international level. Their work on the history of Kurdistan, Kurdish language, Kurdish sociology and Kurdish politics has significantly served the realm of Kurdish studies. Scholars such as Vladimir Minorsky[1], Igor Diakonoff[2] and Basil Nikitin[3] carried out historical and linguistic research on Kurdistan and established a tradition of Kurdistan studies that had scientific and political implications. Meanwhile, a number of Kurdish scholars had the opportunity to go to Russia to continue their studies who later served as the foundations of Kurdistan studies; such scholars include Marf Khaznadar and Kurdistan Mukriyani among others. It is obvious that these Kurdish scholars have studied Kurdistan under the influence of Russian scholars and the fingerprints of Russian orientalists on them are undeniable.
On the other hand, the work of Russian orientalists on Kurdistan can be critically examined. While it is obvious that Russian orientalists established a foundation for Kurdistan studies and has enormously contributed to the literature, their work could have political motivations. There are questions as whether or not the studies conducted by Russian orientalists were based on established historical and linguistic facts and evidence.
For these purposes, Soran University and The Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences are organizing a joint conference with an aim to uncover the role and effects of Russian orientalists in introducing the Kurds and the cause of Kurdistan. The aim of the conference is to honor the vital role of Russian orientalists in introducing Kurdistan to the world, and also to critically examine their influence in the field of Kurdistan studies both within the context of Kurdistan and the world.
For these purposes, Soran University and The Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences are organizing a joint conference with an aim to uncover the role and effects of Russian orientalists in introducing the Kurds and the cause of Kurdistan. The aim of the conference is to honor the vital role of Russian orientalists in introducing Kurdistan to the world, and also to critically examine their influence in the field of Kurdistan studies both within the context of Kurdistan and the world.
Aims of the Conference
The aim of this conference is to provide an in-depth understanding of the role and influence of Russian orientalists in acknowledging and introducing Kurdistan. Participants will be able to present their views on the historical and political contexts that led Russian orientalists to study the Kurds and issues related to Kurdistan in particular and the Middle East in general.
Another goal of the conference is to promote cultural dialogue between Russian and Kurdish experts and scholars. Exchange of ideas and views among the participants and shaping scientific cooperation between the Kurdish and Russian researchers is another main objective of the conference.
Forms of Conference
The conference will feature keynote speakers, discussion panels, presentation of papers and workshops.
Conference themes
The topics of the conference include, but not limited to, the following topics:
History of Kurdistan:
- Russian orientalists and the history of ancient Kurdistan (Medes and Sassanids, etc.)
- Russian orientalists and the narration of contemporary history of Kurdistan
- Minorsky and the Kurds
- Diakonoff and the Kurds
- Nikitin and the Kurds
Kurdish Language:
- Russian orientalists and the status of Kurdish language
- The role of Russian orientalists in Kurdish linguistic identity
- Kurdish Grammar and Syntax in the Writings of Russian Orientalists
- Kurdish Grammar and Syntax in the Writings of Kurdish Scholars in Russia
Religion in Kurdistan:
- History of Islam in Kurdistan from the perspective of Russian orientalists
- History of the Shiite religion in Kurdistan from the perspective of Russian orientalism
- Russian orientalists and Christianity in Kurdistan
- Russian orientalists and Judaism in Kurdistan
- Russian orientalists and Ezidi religion in Kurdistan
Kurdish Politics:
- The relationship between Russian orientalism and Russian policy towards Kurdistan
- The relationship between Russian orientalism and Russian policy towards Iraq
- Critical Interpretation of Russian Orientalism from the Perspective of Edward Said’s Orientalism Theory
- Comparison of Russian policy towards Kurdistan during the Soviet and post-Soviet periods in relation to Russian orientalism
Kurdish Culture and Media
- Kurdish folklore and culture in the work of Russian orientalists
- Kurdish media in the writings of Russian orientalists
- Russian orientalists' views on the situation of Kurdish women
- Russian orientalists' views on Kurdish music
Languages of the Conference
· Kurdish
· Russian
· English
Conference Committees
Organizing Committee
Dr. Karmand Abdulla Hamad
Dr. Sattar Sheikh Hassan
Mr. Karwan Mohammed Aziz
Mr. Rebaz Dlawer
Dr. Ibrahim Sadiq Malazadah
Dr. Muslih AbdulQahar Irwani
Dr. Dilshad Sabri
Dr. Karzan Abdulrahman
Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim
Ms. Arina Asylguzhina
Mr. Omer Mustafa
Mrs. Zahra Samad
Scientific Committee
Prof. Dr. Sirwan Jabar (Soran University)
Prof. Dr. Vitaly Naumkin (Institute of Oriental Studies/ Russia )
Prof. Dr. Jabbar Qadir (retired professor)
Prof. Dr.Ismael Mohammed Assaf (Salahaddin University)
Prof. Dr. Saman Hussein Ahmad (University of Sulaimani)
Asst. Prof. Dr. Qadir Mohammed (University of Raparin)
Asst. Prof. Dr. Ayub Karimi (Soran University)
Asst. Prof. Dr. Amanj Ahmad Dilzar (Soran University)
Dr Ozmanyan Midia (Institute of Oriental Studies/ Russia)
Dr Abrosimov Alexander (Institute of Oriental Studies/ Russia)
Dr Lana Ravandi-Fadai (Institute of Oriental Studies / Russia)
Dr Marouf Cabi (Middle East Centre, London School of Economics and Political Science/ United Kingdom)
Important Dates of the Conference
Conference Announcement 01-04- 2024
Abstract Submissions: 01-04-2024 to 15-06-2024
Accepting Abstracts: 15-06-2024 to 25-6-2024
Full paper submission: 01-09-2024
Full paper acceptance 15-09-2024
Conference Date: 29 -30 September 2024
[1] Vladimir Fyodorovich Minorsky (Владимир Фёдорович Минорский) (1877 – 1966)
[2] Igor Mikhailovich Diakonoff (И́горь Миха́йлович Дья́конов) (1915 – 1999)
[3] Basil Nikitin (Васи́лий Петро́вич Ники́тин) (1885 – 1960)
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