Traditional Cultures of World Peoples Explored at the International Conference at BelSU

This event was organized in collaboration with Turon University in Karshi, Uzbekistan. The conference provided a platform for both esteemed scholars and emerging researchers, including students, to present and discuss their scientific work. The partnership with Uzbek institutions significantly enhanced the scientific and educational ties between Russian and Uzbek academics and students.

In her address, Associate Professor Yorqinoy Khamraeva from Karshi State University highlighted the ongoing study of the Russian language and culture in schools and universities across Uzbekistan. She emphasized that this shared academic pursuit fosters strong and friendly relations between the two nations based on mutual understanding.

Over the course of two days, more than 130 participants presented their research across 13 sections. The topics spanned literature, culture, and linguistic analysis of classical works from various countries. Participants had the opportunity to vote for the best presentations.

One of the standout presentations was delivered by Elena Litovchenko, Dean of the Faculty of History and Philology and Professor in the Department of General History. Her report, titled “Sociometric Stars in the Epistolary Networks of Late Antiquity,” captivated attendees. She pointed out that while many modern individuals rely heavily on gadgets, they may mistakenly believe that social networks are a contemporary phenomenon.

“Recent research indicates that social networks existed in ancient times, particularly during the late antique era. By defining a social network as a structure comprising social subjects connected through various interactions, we can see that late antique correspondents – linked by family, friendship, and business ties through letter exchanges – functioned as social network actors much like today’s Internet users,” Litovchenko explained.

Acting Head of the Department of General History at BelSU Pedagogical Institute, Yulia Komlyakova, noted the diverse geographical representation at this year’s conference. Researchers from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Iraq participated alongside Russian scholars and students from universities in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Arkhangelsk, Perm, Nalchik, Kursk, and other regions. Following the conference, there are plans to publish a collection of articles indexed in the Russian Science Citation Index .