20 years that passed since the fall of the Soviet Union have cause the Russian society as well as the societies of its allied countries to evolve in their perception of both contemporary and a little more distant history. The politics of memory requires us to answer the question of what is and will be the paradigm of historical memory in contemporary Russians. To overcome stereotypes and prejudices, and consequently, to face the challenges of the modern world concerned with the relations between Russia and Poland, fundamental issues must be discussed. We are interested in how the Russians themselves see the future of their state, and also how it is perceived by other nations, including the Poles. The answer to these questions may be found through the analysis of such elements necessary for the functioning of modern society as the government's priorities, birth, development and influence of contemporary ideology, and particularly by gaining a better understanding of the problems, expectations, fears and successes of a common citizen.

As the largest and strategic partner of the European Union, Russia has long since been its focus of interest, not only scientific, but also cultural, political and economic. A mutual evaluation of past events as well as a gain in knowledge of potential developmental perspectives is possible only through direct relations on both national and local level. True understanding, however, can be achieved solely through bilateral relations between the citizens of the European Union and Russia, in which the issue of Polish-Russian reconciliation is of crucial importance. It will become a cornerstone for building a policy of openness, cooperation, trust and diligence in engaging in a constant dialogue in a spirit of understanding and respect for cultural, political and historical differences between the two countries.

The Jagiellonian University Institute of Russian and Eastern European Studies meets the expectations and as a continuation of this dialogue – initiated in 2011 (20th anniversary of the dissolution of the Soviet Union) on the 1st International Interdisciplinary Academic Congress entitled The Dissolution of USSR and its Consequences for Europe and the World – we invite you to take part in the 2nd Eurasian International Interdisciplinary Academic Congress. The conference will last three days. During that time, two round table debates will be organised. The participants will attempt to define the paradigm of historical memory in modern Russia and reflect on Russian and Polish perception on the country's future.

The Congress will concentrate chiefly on the following issues:

• Russian historical memory: which past events constitute Russian self-identification? (language: Russian),
• chief ideas that shape Russian national identity (language: Russian),
• perspectives for Russia as an economic partner in energy economics (language: English),
• relations between Russia and the countries of Near and Far East (languages: Polish, English),
• perspectives for Eurasian Common Economic Space and Customs Union (language: Russian),
• Polish discourse on Russia and former Soviet republics (language: Polish),
• Russian culture as an indelible world heritage (language: Russian),
• further perspectives for cooperation between the Russian Federation and the countries of the European Union and the rest of the Euro-Atlantic world (language: English),
• Russia and other neighbours in Polish historical memory (language: Polish),
• Russian society in the process of change (language: Polish),
• religious dialogue in contemporary and past Russia (language: Russian),
• directions of modernisation in the Russian state (language: Polish).

We cordially invite all guests interested in Russian studies, particularly researchers in the fields of history, political science, cultural studies, sociology and economy.

Congress secretaries:

• Dr Anna Jach, e-mail: anna.jach@uj.edu.pl, tel. +48 724-146-634,
• Dr Renata Król-Mazur, e-mail: renata.krol-mazur@uj.edu.pl, tel. +48 608 475 610,
• Dr Martyna Kowalska, e-mail: martyna.z.kowalska@uj.edu.pl, tel. +48 503-075-505,
• Dr Michał Kuryłowicz, e-mail: kosmonavtlar@gmail.com, tel. +48 511299702,
• Dr Michał Lubina, e-mail: michallubina@wp.pl, tel. +48 698679097.

The organisers plan to publish a monograph using articles that received positive reviews, reserving the right to choose the texts.

To confirm your participation, please send us an application along with an article (up to 21,000 characters), a short bio (up to 100 characters) and a summary in English (up to 500 characters) until 31 December 2013 to fenomen.rosji@interia.pl.