Photo credit: Russian Historical Society. RIO / youtube.com
The outstanding scientist Helene Carrer d'Encausse has passed away, RIA Novosti reports. She studied Russian history all her life, became the first woman to head the French Academy. Helene Carrère d'Encausse died at the age of 95 on August, 5. Her family members said that she died surrounded by relatives.
The scientist was born in Paris in 1929. Her father, Georges Zurabishvili, left Russia after the October Revolution, the family settled in France.
French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to attend the funeral.
Helene Carrère d'Encausse took up the post of permanent secretary of the French Academy in 1999, replacing Maurice Druon. The academy was founded in the 17th century, it is engaged in the study of the French language and the regulation of its literary norms. The academy has 40 members who are elected for life and, according to academy tradition, have the title of "immortals".
Helene Carrère d'Encausse studied at Sorbonne with an early interest in history and political science. She wrote almost 20 books on the history of Russia. She visited Russia many times and was received by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.
Helene Carrère d'Encausse was awarded the Order of Friendship in Russia, the Lomonosov Grand Gold Medal of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Order of Honor (2009). She has also received numerous awards in France.
Back in 2019, Helene Carrer d’Encausse noted that Europe can treat Russia in two ways, and the prospects for relations depend on this. ''For Europe, Russia is a bridge or a barrier. And if this is a barrier, then it is dangerous,'' she believed. Russia tried several times to integrate into European civilization, but Europe does not accept it, the scientist said. Helen Carrère d'Encausse recalled that Gorbachev, Yeltsin, and even Vladimir Putin tried to do this.
Their failure is based on European fears and contempt, the researcher explained, as well as on the lack of foresight in Europe, which traditionally treats Russia as a ''peasant'' and a very authoritarian state.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called Helene Carrère d'Encausse a great friend of Russia. He said that he fondly recalls conversations with her, and is sure that her intellectual and spiritual heritage will serve to strengthen mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.
Russian Ambassador to France Alexei Meshkov expressed his condolences to the scientist's relatives. ''The descendant of several famous Russian families, Helene Carrère d’Encausse always remained deeply devoted to her Russian roots,'' he said. The diplomat noted that thanks to her numerous studies, she became one of the largest specialists in Russia, her work left a deep mark on historical science.
Russkiy Mir
