Read ‘Letters from Moscow’: The Opening and Closing of Russia
An Interdisciplinary Symposium on Faith, Politics and the University in post-Communist Russia
SATURDAY JUNE 10TH, 9 – 11:30 AM EDT @ FAITH OAKVILLE – 1415 Trafalgar Rd, Oakville ON
Description: Developments in Russia over the past two decades have led many to wonder what ever happened to the visions of openness to democracy hailed by Russian presidents Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin, and some might even say the early Vladimir Putin.
Global Scholars Canada’s original scholars, Drs. Wendy and Adrian Helleman lead the Symposium with their now available ‘Letters from Moscow’ (Moscow Messages); an account of their time teaching at Moscow State University (pictured) in the mid-1990s. The letters are rich and inquisitive, poignant in their capture of a brief period where new freedoms and openness post-perestroika, seemed possible.
The interdisciplinary symposium, which promises to be a rigorous and faith-filled discussion on the opening and closing of Russian society since the 1990s, will begin with this context but will then move to wider and more recent political, ideological, and religious cultural shifts that have brought the country to its more isolated situation today.
Global Scholars invites you to join in a look back at Russia on the brink of change, a window on a country poised to shift at the very time two Christian scholarly observers found themselves at the educational heart of Moscow, teaching a new generation. Special guests, Global Scholar, Dr. David Koyzis, Dr. Jim Payton and the Reverend Dr. Andrey Kordochkin (via Zoom from Spain) will then broaden discussions surrounding what became of Russia from other lenses – connecting yesterday to today – to include analyses that are critically important to geo-political and Christian movements around the world. Dr. Peter Schuurman, Global Scholars Canada President, will serve as moderator.
The Symposium is a hybrid event: in-person ($10 entry fee, including continental breakfast) and available online through Zoom link provided closer to the date. Please RSVP at admin@globalscholarscanada.ca (indicate whether you plan to attend in-person or online). It is also an opportunity to support the work of Global Scholars Canada through a free will offering.
Enjoy an exclusive preview of ‘Letters from Moscow’ or, Moscow Messages by Adrian and Wendy Helleman, (May 2023) here: