Round table on cultural diplomacy of 1941-1945

On 12 May 2025, the round table ‘Cultural Diplomacy of the USSR during the Great Patriotic War’ dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory was held at the Faculty of International Relations of St. Petersburg State University. The event was prepared by the Department of International Humanitarian Relations of St. Petersburg State University with the participation of the Interregional Association for International Cooperation and the Foundation for the Preservation of Historical Memory ‘International Centre for Northern Convoys’.

The round table was opened by Professor  V.I. Fokin, who noted the importance of careful attitude to the history of the Great Patriotic War, prevention of attempts to distort and falsify history.

In the speech of the Chairman of the Interregional Association for International Cooperation M.F. Mudrak, vivid examples of interaction between diplomats, scientists and cultural figures from the USSR and Great Britain during the Second World War were given. In the report of the Director of the Northern Convoys International Centre V.P. Solomonov, emphasis was placed on the exhibits and documents from the Centre's collection reflecting cultural cooperation between the USSR and the allies of the anti-Hitler coalition during the Northern Convoys of 1941-1945.

Various issues related to the contribution of scientific and cultural figures to the victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War were touched upon by Associate Professors of the Department of International Humanitarian Relations N.M. Bogolyubova, O.N. Eroshkina, Y.V. Nikolaeva, M.D. Portnyagina and E.E. Eltz.

The speakers used documents and photographs of the war years, letters and memories of musicians, artists, scientists who made their invaluable contribution to the victory over fascism. Special attention during the discussion was paid to the need for targeted work with the younger generation to preserve the historical memory of the Great Patriotic War.

The round table was attended by students, postgraduates and teachers of the Faculty of International Relations of SPbSU.

The round table ended with a solemn awarding ceremony for the students of the Faculty of International Relations who had interned at the "Northern Convoys International Centre" Foundation and had carried out analytical research as part of their internships. The students were awarded letters of appreciation for their research and work aimed at preserving the historical memory of the Northern Convoys by the Director of the Foundation V.P. Solomonov.