Memory Policy and Historical Science: Scientific Results of the Year Dedicated to the Centenary of the Republic of Bashkortostan

Abstract

The article explores the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Bashkortostan in the context of the politics of memory and historical science. The major scientific events dedicated to the anniversary are analyzed. The authors turn to an analysis of the ideology and content of the International Scientific Forum “Unity. Citizenship. Patriotism”, which was held on March 22–23, 2019 in Ufa. Within its framework several topics were discussed: features of the legal status of the Bashkir people in historical retrospective; the Soviet project as an experience of nation-state building; the role of industrial modernization for the fate of the peoples of the USSR; spiritual and cultural development of the peoples of Russia in the 20th century; Bashkortostan in Russian military history in the 20th century; socio-economic realities and development prospects of Bashkortostan at the turn of the millennium; and national policy as a tool to strengthen common identity in the Republic of Bashkortostan. Next, the concept of the Russian nationwide Scientific and Practical Conference “Republic of Bashkortostan: History and Present”, held on October 9–10, 2019, is considered. The aim of the conference was to comprehend the issues of the historical development of Bashkortostan, to study the centuries-old experience of its development as a republic, and to analyze the modern development of our region.