CONFERENCE ON THE GREAT EASTERN CRISIS BEGINS

PALE, NOVEMBER 14 /SRNA/ - Historians have an obligation, not merely a duty, to present the truth based on historical sources and facts, it was emphasized at the International Scientific Conference titled Russia and the Balkans During the Great Eastern Crisis, which began this morning in Pale.

Ruslan Garkuyev, Chairman of the Board of the Russian Historical Society, told reporters ahead of the conference that its topic was related to the Great Eastern Crisis.

"Over the past two years, we have been working together with the Institute of Historical Sciences of the University of Istočno Sarajevo, striving to organize major conferences in cooperation between the two institutions on the most topical issues, both for the historical community and for the peoples of our two countries," Garkuyev said.

Mirjana Lukić, Director of the Institute of Historical Sciences, said that the conference had brought together 25 experts from the Russian Federation, Republika Srpska, Serbia and Montenegro, and that the Great Eastern Crisis had largely shaped the course of Serbian history.

"This is an important topic for us, one that we must discuss in a serious and scientifically grounded manner. We should publish the conclusions we reach in a collection of papers so that it serves as a testament to our commitment to preserving the culture of remembrance," Lukić stressed.

Nikita Gusev, Scientific Secretary of the Institute of Slavic Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said that the conference topic was interesting and always relevant, noting that Russia had played a major role in the liberation of the Balkan peoples.

According to him, today's conference not only recalls the Great Eastern Crisis but also highlights global history and the close ties between the Russian and Serbian peoples.

"This topic should remind us of the historical aspirations of all Balkan peoples to achieve their own statehood and independence," Gusev stressed.

Vladan Bartula, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Istočno Sarajevo, said that the institution had an obligation to take part in the analysis of historically significant facts that have implications for the present day.

"I am pleased that we are taking part in organizing today's conference, and the Faculty of Philosophy devotes considerable attention to organizing scientific conferences as part of its activities," Bartula noted.

Today's conference was organized as part of the celebrations marking the Day and patron saint's day of the Institute of Historical Sciences of the University of Istočno Sarajevo.