On April 13, 2016 at the “Academics House” (“Dom uchionyh”) took place regular conference of beginner researchers “Scientists of the 21st century”.
Pupils and students of high schools of Saint Petersburg participate in this conference organized by the “Academics House” (“Dom uchionyh”) in constant cooperation with Saint Petersburg Institute of History of the RAS for 20 years in a row. Candidates of Science in History A.I. Bogomolov, S.V. Kulikov and Doctor of Science in History, professor V.V. Noskov were the jury members of the workshop “History”.

On April 15, 2016 will be 90-year anniversary of Doctor of Science in History, professor Iurii Georgievich Alekseev, Russian scholar well known and admired both in Russia and abroad.
Being a disciple of I.I. Smirnov Iurii Georgievich maintains the best traditions of the home scholars.
For more than thirty years he was firmly connected with the Institute, at first as post-graduate, then as a research fellow.

His multiple works based on a wide amount of deeply studied sources and well examined works of other scholars were dedicated mostly to economic, social and political history of Russia in 14^th-16^th centuries.
For more than forty years Iurii Georgievich carries out his teaching activity firstly at the Herzen State Pedagogical University and then since 1992 at Saint Petersburg State University. He educated several generations of scholars.

We, both friends and colleagues, congratulate Iurii Georgievich at this truly historical date.

“Avrora” publishing house issued a new edition of the book composed by A.I. Rupasov and A.N. Chistikov entitled “Russian-Finnish border. 1918-1938. Studies on its history” («Sovetsko-finlyandskaya granitsa. 1918—1938 gg. Ocherki istorii»).

Since the moment Finland became independent the problem of border demarcation emerged. This process took almost twenty years. Due to mutual jealousy supported on the one hand by Finnish radicals and on the other by Komintern activity frontier zone turned into an area of instability.

The authors examine not only a problem of border demarcation, but also issues concerning customs border at the Gulf of Finland, counteraction to smuggling and espionage and others.

This new edition contains many substantial addenda and alterations.

On April 4, 2016 regular session of the Seminar on history of post-war soviet society (period of 1945-1965) took place. This seminar works at Saint Petersburg Institute of History of the RAS (SPbIH of the RAS) and ensures collaboration of scholars, employees of museums and archives, professors, tutors and teachers along with post-graduates. The report on activity of the Soviet state to rebuild Karelian Isthmus in the second half of 1940s was delivered by post-graduate student of the Institute of History of Saint-Petersburg State University (SPbSU) V.A. Orav. Scholars and employees of SPbIH of the RAS, SPbSU, the Herzen State Pedagogical University, the Central State Archive of Saint Petersburg and other institutions as well as post-graduates and students participated in this session and discussed the report.

On March 30, 2016 a group of students and post-graduates of the University from Bielefeld, Germany (Osteuropäische Geschichte-Universität) accompanied by professor Stephan Merl visited the institute. It is the third visit of professor Merl with his students to SPbIH of the RAS.

Young German colleagues were acquainted with the history of the Institute, recent publications. Researchers from both Russian and Western sections of the Scientific and Historical Archive of SPbIH of the RAS presented them some documents, and our guests showed a genuine interest both to the content of the collections. Library staff member E.Z. Panchenko informed the visitors about the activities of the library.

Both guests and hosts highly appreciated the results of this meeting and voiced the hope to continue and strengthen the effective cooperation between the University and the Institute.

March 24 is a birthday of leading research fellow of Scientific and Historical Archive and Group for source studies, Doctor of Science in History Elena Konstantinovna Piotrovskaya.

For more than forty years she works at the institute, and throughout this period she has given good account of herself both as worthy scholar and benevolent, compassionate person.

Friends and colleagues warmly congratulate Elena Konstantinovna and wish her sound health, prosperity and creative success.

On March 22, 2016 at Saint Petersburg Institute of History of the RAS (SPbIH of the RAS) memorial session of the Scientific council dedicated to 85-year anniversary of academician, D.Sc. in History, professor B.V. Ananich took place.

The meeting was opened by the report delivered by A.N. Tsamutali who outlined different aspects of B.V. Ananich’s course of life and main features of his work as a historian.

S.K. Lebedev focused on detailed analysis of scientific heritage of B.V. Ananich concerning economic and financial history.

M.F. Florinskii outlined issues of teaching activity of this outstanding scholar at Saint Petersburg State University and European University at Saint Petersburg and characterized his methodological principles.

Academician A.B. Davidson delivered to the audience his memories about co-study with B.V. Ananich at Leningrad university and their friendship.

V.M. Paneyakh presented report concerning traditions of B.V. Romanov’s historical school. B.V. Ananich was one of its disciples along with R.Sh. Ganelin, A.A. Fursenko and N.E. Nosov.

Director of SPbIH of the RAS N.N. Smirnov noted role of B.V. Ananich both as an outstanding scholar and as benevolent and kindhearted person.