A press conference devoted to the 300th anniversary of the birth of Mikhail Lomonosov took place on September 8 at the Central House of Journalist (CHJ). CHJ used a non-trivial approach: at the entrance visitors were greeted by a reminder of Lomonosov’s wagon train – a cargo sled loaded with “fish” (fish-shaped gingerbread made in Archangelsk) and the same pretend Mikhailo Vasilievich.
The press conference itself was not quite ordinary – this was rather a roundtable whose participants were talking about the genius of Lomonosov, modern-day Russian education and the need for innovations.
The list of the press conference participants included vice president of RAS, president of Lomonosov Fund Nikolai Laverov, MGIMO vice-principal in charge of academic work, Alexei Podberezkin, research manager of the Lomonosov School Marat Ziganov, head of Ethnomir Ruslan Bayramov and others. The meeting was opened by chairman of the Russian Union of Journalists Vsevolod Bogdanov.
A native of the Archangelsk region himself, academician Laverov passionately spoke of the coast-dweller’s perseverance of Lomonosov, his way in science and principal achievements. Lomonosov was a man of many talents and attainments; not in vain he is regarded as the first Russian all-round scholar. He did not have enough time to bring all his plans to fruition as he died at the age of 54. In the opinion of Mr. Laverov, many of Lomonosov’s ideas are strikingly relevant even today – thus he mentioned the need to develop the riches of the Arctic and you’ve certainly heard about the ambitious Arctic development plans laid down by our contemporaries. “Everything he did, – said the scientist about his outstanding predecessor, – still excites general admiration.” It is not only Lomonosov’s scholarly attainments that matter, but also his aspiration to apply the knowledge in everyday work, Laverov believes. This is especially important in contemporary Russia where modernization and innovation programs are adopted but not implemented.
Alexei Podberezkin who authored Human Capital, a four-volume work, also developed the modernization theme. In the scholar’s opinion, Lomonosov was faced with exactly the same challenges that confront us today – the formation of national academic schools. Only the national schools are capable of creating something fundamentally new in their realm. Those nations that succeeded in creating them like Finland are today’s leaders in terms of living standards. “Either we breathe new life into our national academic school,” says Podberezkin, “or remain a backward nation forever.”
Marat Ziganov threw limelight on another problem: the lack of real interest in Lomonosov. Meanwhile, he is sure that Lomonosov who was always thirsty for knowledge is a very good role model to be used in the upbringing of the younger generation. It is with this purpose in mind that the Lomonosov School is carrying out a series of projects towards the 300th anniversary of the scholar’s birth.
Mr. Ziganov is positive that their implementation will call everybody’s attention to the problems of modern Russian education. Lomonosov’s wagon train is the most ambitious and large-scale of all these projects. Schoolchildren will surely not walk or sledge from Kholomogory to Moscow – they will travel by bus making stops in many cities and towns of Russia. But each of the participants will also be carrying a trail-sled similar to the one ridden by 19-year-old Lomonosov (who was occasionally walking behind it). Boys and girls will also plant out Lomonosov’s alleys, give concerts, hold press conferences and meet with academics and workers of culture on the way.
Among the school’s projects is publication of a three-volume Lomonosov’s encyclopedia, holding Lomonosov’s assembly and Lomonosov’s ball as well as a video film contest, preparation of exhibits for museum rooms in Marburg (where Lomonosov studied) and in the tourist center Ethnomir. One more project is creating an Internet portal devoted to Lomonosov where all the learned man’s works will be posted. Overall the school is carrying out as many as 30 projects in the run-up to Lomonosov’s jubilee.
A lot has been said about Mikhail Lomonosov. Some are interested in him as an academic and a person of extraordinary fate; for others he is more like a model man craving for knowledge, daring and achieving a lot in life. But there is also a more universal meaning in Lomonosov’s attainments. However strange it may seem, the only foreign guest of the press conference, philology professor from Sydney, Australia, and head of the Slavic Friendship Society David Wansbrough who delivered a speech about the educated person, could find the best words to emphasize that point. According to him, the educated person is not an expert in any field; on the contrary, he is aware of his scanty knowledge and therefore always ready to pursue continuous research and to change his or her mind.
Lomonosov did a lot for Russian science and culture but more as a solitary worker as he did not start his own school and had almost no disciples or followers. Many of his works are now outdated, but his insatiable thirst for exploration of nature and new knowledge will never become irrelevant. In this sense he remains a wonderful model to emulate.
Boris Serov
