'Russians worship intelligence' (220th anniversary of the USSR Academy of Sciences in the perception of a Canadian scientist)

V.P. Korzun*, D.M. Kolevatov

Dostoevsky Omsk State University, Omsk, 644077 Russia

E-mail: *korzunv@mail.ru

Received January 12, 2020

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DOI: 10.26907/2541-7738.2020.3.207-219

For citation: Korzun V.P., Kolevatov D.M. “Russians worship intelligence” (220th anniversary of the USSR Academy of Sciences in the perception of a Canadian scientist). Uchenye Zapiski Kazanskogo Universiteta. Seriya Gumanitarnye Nauki, 2020, vol. 162, no. 3, pp. 207–219. doi: 10.26907/2541-7738.2020.3.207-219. (In Russian)

Abstract

The perception of the celebration of the 220th anniversary of the USSR Academy of Sciences (June 15–30, 1945) by Harold Innis, a Canadian scientist, was discussed. The focus of the study is the “Russian Diary” that H. Innis kept during his long journey from Ottawa to Moscow, Leningrad, and back. The diary was published in Canada 35 years after the anniversary celebration. Professor William Christian of the University of Guelph was the publisher, editor, and author of the opening letter.

The motivation of H. Innis to study Russia, as well as the interlocutors, informants, and places of memory that shaped his vision of Russia as a “mysterious country” were analyzed. The specifics of his narrative (brief and telegraphic sketches of the surroundings with complex associations) were considered. His peculiar way of description and perception of the anniversary celebration was investigated. It was concluded that H. Innis paid little attention to the ceremonial part of the anniversary, because something else was more important to him. He was more interested in understanding the role of science in the USSR and in the modern world. The restoration of the academic relations disturbed by the war was perceived by H. Innis as an important step towards overcoming the civilizational crisis.

Keywords: anniversary of USSR Academy of Sciences, science, H. Innis, civilization, Canada, Russia, “Russian Diary”, communication, state policy, culture

Acknowledgments. The study was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project no. 19-09-00264).

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