Artsakh gathers philosophers

ArmInfo.The next Saturday Stepanakert will become the capital of Russian-language philosophy. April 14 at the Mesrop Mashtots University (Stepanakert) will be the  first annual international philosophical readings "Civilization and  Man", dedicated to the memory of the priest Pavel Florensky.

Representatives of the Lomonosov Moscow State University, the  Southern Federal University (Rostov-on- Don), the Pyatigorsk State  University, the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University and other  Yerevan universities, as well as the leadership of the Russian  Orthodox Culture Foundation, priest P. Florensky are to attend this  remarkable event.

The Chairman of the Flemish Association of Russian-Speaking in  Belgium Arena Aghajanyan told ArmInfo. Among the honorable guests at  the opening ceremony are the Head of the Artsakh Diocese of the  Armenian Apostolic Church, Archbishop Parkev Martirosyan and the  Minister of Education, Science and Sports of the Republic Narine  Agabalyan, Rector of the Mesrop Mashtots University Donara  Gabrielyan. 7 speeches on philosophy are prepared by Artsakh  students. In total, 15 scientific reports will be presented to the  audience of the conference, which will subsequently be published in a  special collection and sent to universities in Armenia, Russia and  other countries.

According to the initiator of the project - Russian publicist Denis  Dvornikov, the project has two key tasks. The first is the creation  in the Artsakh Republic a meaningful discussion platform on issues of  philosophy, political science, political history, which would become  a point of attraction for scientists from all over the world, not  only from Russia and Armenia, but also from Iran, Georgia, countries  of Western Europe, Asia and America. "The matter is that there is a  base of humanitarian knowledge in Artsakh, a unique political and  semantic landscape, a special culture and an intellectual atmosphere  that can and should become a breeding ground for the emergence of new  ideas, for solving the most complex philosophical puzzles that  modernity offers us" Denis Dvornikov said.

The second task is the memory of historical figures, one way or  another connected with the history of Artsakh. Priest, philosopher,  artist, inventor Pavel Florensky in this respect is an ideal  historical image. In addition, he embodies the combination of Russian  and Armenian culture in the most literal sense. Pavel Florensky's  mother - Olga (Salome) Pavlovna Saparova (Saparyan) (1859-1951)  belonged to a family deriving from an ancient family of Karabakh  Armenians. Unfortunately, this most important historical fact has  never become a topic of wide discussion and study in public space.  The Florensky home respected everyone's faith and worldview. While  Father Florensky - Alexander Ivanovich - belonged to the Orthodox  Church, and mother - to the Apostolic - in the house there have never  been disputes and discussions on religious topics. This is an  important example, which is extremely relevant in modern society.

The moderator of the conference from the Mesrop Mashtots University -  pro-rector for scientific work and external relations Garib Babayan  believes that holding the conference is only the first step of a  large international project. "For the first time in Artsakh,  international philosophical readings of this level are held. And it  is especially important that students and young scientists  participate. The first international discussion is dedicated to the  memory of our fellow countryman by blood, an outstanding Russian  scholar, philosopher and Orthodox priest Father Pavel Florensky. The  theme of the readings is extremely urgent for the modern world -  "Civilization and Man". I am glad that scholars, undergraduates and  students of leading universities of Russia and Armenia come to  Artsakh with qualitative scientific reports. I am confident that our  Artsakh students will also show a high level of preparation. Their  reports are devoted to the life and work of Pavel Florensky. I think  that this is useful for their development," said Garib Babayan.

According to him, for the university, the forthcoming philosophical  readings are a joyful event, which required serious preparation. And  here the role of the rector of the university - Donara Gabrielyan is  invaluable. The project was supported by the President of the Artsakh  Republic, as well as the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports.  The conference will begin on April 14, 2018 (Saturday) at 10:00 in  the building of Mesrop Mashtots University at Artsakh Republic,  Stepanakert, G.Nzhdeh street 72.