Russian Revolution centenary marked with landmark talk

A distinguished authority on the history of modern Russia is to deliver a major lecture at Cardiff University as part of Russian Revolution centenary commemorations across the city.

Emeritus Professor of Russian History Geoffrey Hosking gives the public lecture The triumph of distrust: the 1917 revolutions and Soviet society in February.

Lecturer in Modern European History Dr James Ryan said: “2017 marks the centenary of events in Russia that have had profound effects on the subsequent course of history through much of the world. As a University, we are delighted to share the significance and legacies of the revolutions with our wider community, and to initiate discussion as part of the R17 events across the capital.”

Honorary President to the Great Britain-Russia Society, Professor Hosking is one of the most well-known and authoritative historians of modern Russia. His works include Rulers and Victims: The Russians in the Soviet Union. His latest book Trust: A History is published by Oxford University Press.

In an exciting season of events and performances across the Welsh capital, R17 aims to capture the social and cultural explosion of the era, and Wales’ historic connections with the Russia of the time. As part of the centenary, arts organisations will host events across the city throughout 2017.

The public lecture takes place in the same month that historians from Moscow visit Cardiff. The Russian delegation will lead seminars and lectures on various aspects of the 1917 Revolutions during the week-long visit as part of the Erasmus Plus exchange between Cardiff University and the prestigious Russian Academy of Sciences.

Part of the R17 season, The triumph of distrust: the 1917 revolutions and Soviet society takes place at Cardiff University on 13 February at 6.30pm. Advance booking is recommended.