Pushkin House, the oldest independent Russian culture center in the UK, founded back in 1954, is launching a series of discussions aimed to make sense of Russia’s present and past. Pushkin House is going through a transformational period dictated by the simultaneous nexus of internal and external factors. With support from the Zimin Foundation and participation of the Enlightener Award (Prosvetitel Prize in Russian) discursive programme outlines conceptual interdependence and commitment to platforming cross-cultural conversations through talks, panel discussions, book presentations, conferences and symposia. The discussion is going to involve leading historians, philosophers, social and political scientists. 

The closest event of the discussion project will take place on 6 March, it is called “Keep It Informal: Resisting Power in the Shadows of Systems” with Professor Alena Ledeneva. When we speak of "informality", we cannot simply define it as the opposite of "formal", "official", or "sanctioned." Rather, informality represents a space of potential where innovation, newness, and strategic survival can emerge, particularly in oppressive regimes. Can informality be seen as resistance to power and potential for institutional change? Is staying hidden a productive way to accumulate critical resources to transform regimes? Join Professor Alena Ledeneva for a discussion of the “shades of grey” around the globe.

The lectures are going to take place every two to four weeks, with announcements posted here.

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