published: 15 October 2024
Program for Young Researchers "A Person in History: (Post-)Soviet Experience"
For many years, Memorial worked with Russian schools, receiving thousands of research papers from across the country annually. However, since February 2022, this opportunity has ceased to exist. In 2023, though, we relaunched the program. Now, "A Person in History" is not just a competition but an educational program for participants aged 16-19 from around the world who are interested in Soviet and post-Soviet history or in the history of their families, as well as in working with oral testimonies, archival documents, and creative expression.
The program will take place online from February 23 to April 27, 2025. We offer immersion into research practices, meeting online on Sundays for workshops and seminars. Each participant receives individual guidance from curators, support from their group, and help from professional historians. At the end of the program, participants can enter a research project competition, with the finalists being invited to an unforgettable summer school in one of the European countries. There, under the guidance of artists and creative producers, they will transform history into art — through performances, animated films, podcasts, video art, and more.
Our participants have already created many multimedia and artistic projects throughout the program including interactive historical maps, video interviews, longreads, podcasts, documentary shadow theater performances, video projects, and animated films.
- Region - Eastern Europe, including USSR/Russia, period - twentieth century;
- You can work on your project on your own, or work in a group in Russian, English, or German languages to discuss your work with tutor and other participants.
- Language: if you find it difficult to take part in classes in Russian, you will receive materials in translation. Throughout the program, you can attend online classes and communicate with your supervisor. If necessary, we are ready to provide additional materials and expert assistance;
- The authors of the best projects will be invited to go to the summer school (August 2025).
- At this time we are inviting those who will be at least 16 and no more than 19 years old in August 2025 to participate.
You are welcome to apply by filling the entry form by February 9, 2025 and completing an assignment.
More information is available at the program's website.
The project is implemented by the nonprofit organization Zukunft Memorial e.V. with the support of German foundations.
Academic Director of the program — Irina Shcherbakova
Project Coordinator — Natasha Konradova