The “Forgotten” War

Interview

Countries across Europe, and particularly France, are preparing for the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One. While Europe remembers and honors Russia's participation, Russia itself has all but forgotten it. We spoke with Alexander Chubaryan, Director of the Institute of World History at the Russian Academy of Sciences, about the role played by the memory of WWI and the commemorative events planned by Russia's State Organizing Committee for 2014.

Interview

Countries across Europe, and particularly France, are preparing for the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One. While Europe remembers and honors Russia's participation, Russia itself has all but forgotten it. We spoke with Alexander Chubaryan, Director of the Institute of World History at the Russian Academy of Sciences, about the role played by the memory of WWI and the commemorative events planned by Russia's State Organizing Committee for 2014.

Dr. Chubaryan, do you think it is wise to revive the memory of World War One?

In fact, Russians often refer to it as the "forgotten war", mostly due to ideological labels attached to it immediately after the Soviets took power, and that have been retained until now.

Memorials to WWI victims are to be found in small towns across Europe, but that has never happened in Russia. In Moscow, there is only a small monument near Sokol subway station.

I think it is wrong for Russia to have forgotten the First World War, and not just because of the colossal death toll, including among Russians, but because it had a decisive impact on the entire course of the 20th century.

Therefore, the fact that, in Russia, attention is currently being paid to the First World War is highly significant. The State Organizing Committee headed by State Duma Chairman Sergey Naryshkin was set up and is already preparing for the centennial.

Alexander Chubaryan

First, there was a contest for building a monument, which was won by Russian sculptor Andrey Kovalchuk, and his piece will be erected at the Poklonnaya Gora Memorial next summer.

Second, lots of Russia-wide and international conferences, cultural and educational events have been planned. Educational programs and textbooks will be issued to widely cover the main events, participants, and heroes of the First World War. I believe this year we will try to rectify the situation and revive Russian public interest in this period of our history.

Do you think that remembering the First World War could become a consolidating factor in Russian society?

No, I don’t think these two points are linked. Russian society and Russian history present an amalgamation of assorted developments, with the greatest consolidating role to be given to the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War (part of the Second World War). The 1812 Patriotic War, whose bicentennial we celebrated in 2012 was also of great significance. World War One is definitely in the same line, although it certainly had less of an impact.

Recently, Russia has revived National Unity Day, and in 2014 mass interest in WWI will likely be revived. Why does Russia need to bring back memories of these "forgotten" pages of history? Are there any other episodes that deserve fresh attention?

In fact, they are only forgotten in Russia, the rest of the world remembers them quite well indeed. It seems most unfortunate to disregard landmarks that largely determined the outline of the 20th century and become a trigger for the Russian Revolution. It is inappropriate to forget one of the bloodiest wars that carried away thousands and even tens of thousands of Russian lives. It is incorrect historically and simply immoral.

What impact, if any, do you think reviving the interest in World War One will have on Russia’s image abroad, chiefly, in Europe?

Reviving interest in Russia in the First World War would have an utterly favorable impact on our image. The hundredth anniversary of the start of WWI is of critical importance for Europe. Organizing committees are operating in full swing in France and Great Britain. Numerous events will be held in other European countries, in Switzerland, Poland and even in the Baltic states. Therefore, I would say that it would have a positive impact on Russia’s image.

Interviewer: Daria Khaspekova, RIAC Program Coordinator