Conference at Yeltsin Center declined by "Memorial" Chairperson
In a surprising twist, Yan Rachinsky, the Chairman of the Memorial society, has opted out of the conference's organizing committee to prevent an "uneasy atmosphere for participants." Drawing attention to his inclusion in conference materials as a member of the organizing committee could lead to unnecessary friction, particularly among Stalinists and other extremist groups who have long opposed the conference. This could potentially create a challenging situation for attendees and organizers alike. Rachinsky, via Eltsin Center's press service, explained his decision to the journalist from our site, saying, "Attributing me to the conference materials as a member of the organizing committee could seem absurd and would unnecessarily agitate these elements, creating an uncomfortable situation for participants and impeding smooth operations. I hope my departure from the organizing committee will mitigate these risks."
The initiative to exclude Rachinsky was, reportedly, advocated by Vladimir Solovyev's team, due to his purported criticisms of Vladimir Putin and his support for Ukraine. Some critics claim that the Eltsin Center planned to tarnish the 80th anniversary of the Victory through this event by accusing Rachinsky - a perceived Stalin apologist - of labeling Stalin a war criminal and Soviet Union as the instigator of World War III.
Founded in 1987, Memorial was created by another Nobel laureate, Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, to investigate political repression in the Soviet Union. The organization has focused on fostering the development of civil society, promoting legal awareness among citizens, and establishing a democratic legal state to prevent a return to totalitarianism. In addition to running educational programs, monitoring and documenting human rights abuses, providing legal consultation to refugees and political prisoners, Memorial also engaged in advocacy for civil rights and political reforms.
Ural Memorial was fined 300,000 rubles for discrediting the military, and its leader was subject to a search. Numerous violations of regulations by Roskomnadzor eventually led to the organization's website being blocked. The Eltsin Center canceled a lecture by philosopher Dmitri Khastov following an anonymous Telegram post accusing him of denying the term "Russian nation" and its "historical fate" as mere myths.
On June 27, the third Forum "Patriots of Ural" will take place at the Eltsin Center, an initiative conceived by Urals' presidential representative Artem Zhoga. Zhoga, in early May, expressed his views on the Eltsin Center, stating that it was a "good venue" but regrettably attracts "liberally minded individuals." He aims to address this situation by organizing patriotic events like this forum.
Authors: Kirill Smolentsov, Pelageia Smyshlyaeva
Note: Jan Rachinsky is designated as a foreign agent by the Russian Ministry of Justice and Memorial is listed in the registry of foreign agents, which ultimately resulted in its liquidation by the Supreme Court of Russia.
- Amidst the upcoming Forum "Patriots of Ural" at the Eltsin Center, critics claim that the event, organized by Artem Zhoga, aims to tarnish the image of Yan Rachinsky, a perceived critic of Vladimir Putin and supporter of Ukraine, who was excluded from the conference's organizing committee due to potential friction with extremist groups.
- The news of Yan Rachinsky's removal from the organizing committee has stirred speculation about the intentions behind the third Forum "Patriots of Ural" at the Eltsin Center, where politics, general news, war-and-conflicts, and Rachinsky's stance on Putin and Ukraine could potentially foster an uncomfortable atmosphere for participants.
