Russian History Competition in Exil Yields Diverse Topics Despite Adversity
On 11 May 2025, the award ceremony of the Russian History Competition in exile took place. A total of 57 participants aged 16 to 19 submitted impressive research projects that shed light on life in the Soviet Union as well as in 1990’s Russia.
Despite adverse circumstances – including the Memorial’s liquidation in Russia and political pressure – the organiser Zukunft Memorial managed to hold the competition, which has been running since 1999, again this year. The switch to a purely online format and the extensive anonymity could not stop the young participants from putting together insightful research projects.
To accompany the projects, young people were able to take part in extensive online workshops and courses every Sunday for two months to prepare them for their own research. The focus was particularly on how to develop historical research skills. But networking with like-minded people interested in history was not neglected either.
While the competition kept the overall title “Person in History” of the former competition in Russia, this year's edition focused on ‘Images of the Future’ and how people in the past imagined the future.
With the help of this preparation, the 16 to 19-year-olds were able to research life stories of a wide range of people in their own projects. While some focused on scientists and dissidents, others concentrated on artists, farm workers or sailors. The eras the contributions covered were also broadly diversified. Although, surprisingly, the era of stagnation (around 1964 to 1982) was the most frequently discussed, the remaining contributions were spread from before 1917 to the 2000s.
Since there are hardly any living eyewitnesses for the earlier periods, diaries were the primary source for topics up to the post-was years. “When reading my grandparents’ diary, you begin to physically feel the lack of freedom,” one participant reflected – highlighting the deeply personal nature of many contributions. For more recent decades, however, the students increasingly relied on interviews.
All award winners of the history competition can take part in further workshops and have the opportunity to publish their research projects within the non-profit network of Zukunft Memorial – both for those living in exile and within Russia. Additionally, they are invited to the annual Memorial Summer School where they can delve even deeper into inspiring workshops and activities.
The competition “Man in History” is one of three that Zukunft Memorial organises. It is complemented by a Family Track for intergenerational teams and a Foreign Language Track, for students learning Russian as a foreign language.