REECASJACKSON SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL NE STUDIES,W UNIVERSITYSLETTER OF WASHINGTON FALL 2005

The Fading Bloom of a Revolution?1

BY ELMIRA KÖCHÜMKULKÏZÏ

Like many of my countrymen studying leader, Topchubek Turgunaliev, head of and living in the United States, I woke up the party Erkindik, recognized the roll of on the morning of March 24, 2005, to the average citizen in the revolution, very surprising news — a revolution had saying it was “the people’s in its nature occurred in Kyrgyzstan. Immediately I and democratic in its course.” called my brother, Bektemir, who lives in Although Kyrgyzstan has technically been Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Just independent for nearly 15 years, many the night before he had told me that the Kyrgyz now consider March 24 as their situation in the capital was normal. Independence Day. Opposition leaders, That morning, however, he answered the intellectuals and even the general phone with a note of pride in his voice population feel that only on that day last and shouted hastily, Biz jengdik! Bizde © AP spring did Kyrgyzstan truly become Residents of Osh protest last spring. revolutsiya boldu!, “We won! We had a independent. While the peaceful collapse revolution!” of the Soviet Union in 1991 granted election. On the day we arrived, my I could not understand what he meant independence to all Central Asian parents, brothers and I all went to the and I asked, “Wait! Who won what?!” republics, it was not something for which Toktogul Philharmonic Concert Hall to a “We took the White House and Akaev is the people had to fight. performance of improvisational akïns, or gone!” He said these words with such I arrived in Bishkek with my three-year- oral poets. Unlike the Soviet period or excitement and pride that my heart old son on the morning of June 25, 2005, during Akaev’s presidency, people filled pounded. Kyrgyz, young and old, rural just 15 days before the new presidential the concert hall waiting eagerly for the and urban felt this same elation. The continued on page 4 small Kyrgyz nation, self-described as alakanday kyrgyz eli, “the Kyrgyz people who can be fit in the palm of a hand,” INSIDE THIS ISSUE surprised their neighbors and the world by peacefully toppling a corrupt regime REECAS Northwest Conference Call for Papers ...... 2 in just a few hours and without major violence. Letter from the Director...... 3 New Ellison Center Outreach Coordinator ...... 6 The spring revolution in Kyrgyzstan, The Inter University Centre ...... 7 which followed the Georgian Rose and Ukrainian Orange Revolutions, became 17th Annual Nicholas Poppe Symposium ...... 10 known as the Tulip Revolution because The Donald W. Treadgold Papers ...... 11 people carried yellow tulips when they History, Alive and Kicking in the Baltics ...... 12 marched towards the White House. In Application to Study a Less Commonly Taught Language ...... 14 Kyrgyzstan, however, most people like to Churches of Northern Russia ...... 15 call it Eldik Revolutsiya or Ïngkïlap, Recent Acquisitions for the REECAS Outreach Collection ...... 16 “the People’s Revolution,” because this Kazakh Literature: The Unexplored Steppe of Understanding ...... 17 definition gives credit to the ordinary Central Asian Summer Language Program ...... 18 people. These participants grew angry JSIS Series: Hot Spots in the World ...... 18 when their claim of responsibility for the REECAS 2005 MA Graduates ...... 18 revolution was undermined by foreign media and Akaev, who declared Ellison Center News ...... 19 the revolution was US-backed. Some even The Noble Women of the Manas...... 20 claimed the protesters were paid US Visiting REECAS Scholars ...... 22 dollars. But the prominent opposition Upcoming REECAS-Related Events ...... 24 ELLISON CENTER

CALL FOR PAPERS

The Twelfth Annual Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies Northwest Conference SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2006 UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON – TACOMA

We are currently soliciting papers, panels or roundtable Northwest or residing outside the United States. Carpooling presentations for this one-day interdisciplinary conference. from UW Seattle will also be arranged. Proposals from faculty, graduate students and members of If you would like to present at the conference, please reply the general public are all welcome. via e-mail or regular mail by Friday, January 13, 2006, Contributions are encouraged on literature, the fine arts, with your name and contact information, a paper title and the environment, post-Soviet foreign policy, historical brief abstract to: research, economics, national identity or any other relevant Allison Dvaladze, Outreach Coordinator subjects. Papers related to the theme “Occupation and The Herbert J. Ellison Center Russian, East European and Central Revolution in Eurasia’s Borderlands” are especially Asian Studies welcome. The Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies Box 353650, Thomson Hall, University of Washington Small travel stipends may be available to graduate Seattle, Washington 98195-3650, USA students and faculty traveling from the Pacific Northwest. Tel: (206) 221-7951 Funds are not available for scholars outside of the Pacific E-mail: [email protected]

Stephen E. Hanson, Director and Program Chair ELLISON CENTER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE EMAIL: [email protected] ELLISON CENTER Michael Biggins, Head Librarian Jim Augerot, Interim Director and Program Chair 203B Thomson Hall, Box 353650 Slavic and East European Section, UW Libraries EMAIL: [email protected] University of Washington Galya Diment, Professor and Chair Seattle, WA 98195-3650 Marta B. Mikkelsen, Associate Director Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures EMAIL: [email protected] PHONE: 206-543-4852 Katarzyna Dziwirek, Associate Professor EMAIL: [email protected] Allison Dvaladze, Outreach Coordinator Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures EMAIL: [email protected] REECAS on the Internet: James R. Felak, Associate Professor Carrie O’Donoghue, Program Secretary Department of History http://depts.washington.edu/reecas EMAIL: [email protected] Stephen E. Hanson, REECAS Director and Carrie Dyk, Newsletter Editor Chair; Associate Professor EMAIL: [email protected] Department of Political Science Laura Dean, Outreach and Website Assistant Beth Kolko, Associate Professor EMAIL: [email protected] Department of Technical Communication Judith Thornton, Professor Glennys Young, Editor, Treadgold Papers Department of Economics EMAIL: [email protected] John Mason, Managing Editor, Treadgold Papers EMAIL: [email protected]

2 REECAS NEWSLETTER

Letter from the Director

STEPHEN E. HANSON

We begin the new academic year with a Democratic Institute in Georgia, Azerbaijan sense of profound optimism. Indeed, the and Turkey; leadership in organizing 2004–05 academic year saw no less than travel by local high school students to six important developments in the Novosibirsk; Russian, Georgian and Herbert J. Ellison Center for Russian, East Turkish language skills; and a passion for European and Central Asian Studies. dance — she helped organize the Eifman First, I am very happy to report that the Ballet’s US tour and is an accomplished College of Arts and Sciences has autho- dancer herself. With this new full-time rized the hiring of four new tenure-track position, along with Associate Director Marta Mikkelsen and Program Coordinator faculty members studying our region of © ELLISON CENTER Carrie O’Donoghue, the Ellison Center the world over the next four years. The Steve Hanson and Mikhail Gorbachev at a will have an unbeatable staff team in place! first of these, Florian Schwarz, an expert reception at UW. on Islamic and Central Asian History Third, as a direct result of the public whose research utilizes Uzbek, Russian, announcement of the Ellison Endowment comparative religion, history and social Arabic, Persian, German and English and the Russian Studies Symposium science, all of which are available free of sources, joined us this fall. Dr. Schwarz hosted here last November, one of the charge to the Uzbek scholarly community. will teach and do research on the historic most important research organizations At a time of growing political uncer- and contemporary connections between in our field — the National Council for tainty in the Central Asian region, such post-Soviet Central Asia and the neigh- Eurasian and East European Research, or scholarly and personal networks binding boring civilizations of the Near East and NCEEER — is relocating to Seattle in Fall Americans and Uzbeks are more valuable South Asia, immeasurably strengthening 2006. NCEEER’s President, Bob Huber, than ever. our renowned Central Asian Studies and the NCEEER Board (which includes Fifth, the Baltic Studies program has also program. In the three years to follow, the many of the most senior and well-known recently announced some wonderful Ellison Center will be hiring an historian American specialists in Russian, East news: the Latvian government has of tsarist Russia, a specialist in Central European and Central Asian Studies) pledged financial support to establish a Asian and Eurasian international security agreed that the founding of the Ellison permanent Latvian Lectureship at UW, and a scholar focusing on the states and Center was so exciting that they wanted and the Kazickis Family Foundation societies of contemporary Eastern Europe to be part of it. As a result of this new pledged $250,000 to endow a permanent and the Balkans. This year we also hired NCEEER-Ellison Center initiative, we will Baltic Studies Professorship in the two new lecturers in Slavic Languages and be able to bring outstanding young US Department of Scandinavian Studies. Literatures: Bojan Belic, who will teach and Eurasian scholars to Seattle as It is fantastic to see such international Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, and Valya visiting scholars, while at the same time acknowledgement of UW’s sterling repu- Zaitseva, who will teach Russian. At a greatly expanding our contacts with the tation in the Baltic field and in particular, time of budgetary scarcity at the Univer- policymaking community in Washington, of Dr. Guntis Smidchens’ inspirational sity of Washington, this represents an DC. It is a major coup for our program leadership and vision. extraordinary commitment of resources and another step in realizing Herb Ellison’s to our area; it demonstrates the serious- vision of interaction and collaboration Sixth, Head Slavic Librarian Michael ness of the University’s pledge to make among scholars and citizens of the US Biggins has won the UW campus-wide the expansion of the new Ellison Center and the former Soviet Union. We are so Distinguished Staff Award for 2005. a top strategic priority. grateful to Herb’s family and friends for Mike is a true leader and a remarkable scholar in the field of Slavic and East Second, in order to ensure that the daily their generous support, without which, none of the above achievements would European Studies, so it is great to see this operations of the new Ellison Center run recognition of his many accomplishments. smoothly, the University of Washington have been possible. administration has also decided to Fourth, this Spring marked the founding I myself am on sabbatical leave for the provide us with expanded administrative of the new University of Washington 2005–06 academic year. Fortunately, I support. This August, we hired Allison Center in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, which was able to leave the Ellison Center and Dvaladze as a new full-time Outreach will be one of the permanent legacies of REECAS Program in the very capable Coordinator to supervise our programs our three-year State Department grant to hands of Professor James Augerot of with local K-12 schools, community build partnerships with several leading Slavic Languages and Literature, whose colleges, businesses and public organiza- Uzbek academic institutions. Thanks to vast intellectual and administrative ex- tions in the Pacific Northwest. Allison’s the success of the book drives organized perience in our field makes him the ideal illustrious resume includes a degree from over the past two autumns by Professor choice to take over as Interim Director the School of Foreign Service at Ilse Cirtautas, the UW Center now houses during my year of leave. Georgetown; work for the National thousands of scholarly works on Islam, We truly have a lot to celebrate! ◆

3 ELLISON CENTER continued from page 1 traditional oral contest to begin. The capital’s main Ala-Too Square in a style poets at the Aytïsh challenged one markedly different from Akaev’s previous another, exploring the theme of akïykat two inaugurations. Among the foreign shayloo, “fair elections.” One could see dignitaries and presidents of other hope and joy in the audience’s eyes, countries invited, only Kazakh President especially when they applauded the poets’ Nursultan Nazarbaev was present.2 sharp criticism of Akaev and his family Nevertheless, Ala-Too Square was filled and the wrongdoings of the old regime. with Kyrgyz officials from all levels of I felt a great sense of elation and pride government, as well as distinguished sitting among my people, who, like me, guests. In addition, hundreds of ordinary are proud of this unique tradition. In citizens were allowed to watch the Kazakh and Kyrgyz culture, the Aytïsh is ceremony from behind the seated guests. a forum in which poets have traditionally I was lucky to get an official invitation spoken freely and openly criticized from a friend in the White House and leadership. witnessed the ceremony in person. The akïns all began their songs with In recognition of an ancient Kyrgyz words of congratulations for the people’s tradition, Bakiev was blessed upon his achievements on March 24. They also arrival by an elderly Kyrgyz woman invited people to participate in the dressed in a graceful traditional costume. upcoming presidential election — an She purified him with juniper smoke, invitation dampened by the fact that cleansing him of evil spirits and protecting although all the presidential candidates him from the evil eye. Not everything, were invited, none were present. Three however, followed with tradition; the senior tökmö akïns, wearing elaborate religious clergy expressed displeasure traditional gowns and fur hats, over Bakiev’s break with tradition in that emboldened the people as they described he did not hold the Koran during his oath. the Kyrgyz people’s strong, free spirit. The second distinctive feature of the cere- The audience applauded the akïns after mony was the incorporation of young every verse imbued with the traditional akïns who congratulated the Kyrgyz with sharp yet eloquent language of the Aytïsh. their victory and newfound indepen- One of the akïns warned that if the next dence. Bakiev took his oath in Kyrgyz, leader fails to fulfill the people’s hopes, which sounded quite revolutionary in the people would chase him away just as spirit, and the response of the onlookers they purged Akaev. revealed that he had their support.

© ELMIRA KÖCHÜMKULKÏZÏ The akïns also addressed the main socio- The day after his inauguration, Bakiev economic and political problems that led Renowned akïn, Estebes Tursunaliev, performing delivered a memorable and challenging to the revolution, including widespread at the Toktogul Philharmonic Concert Hall. address to his cabinet and the country’s corruption, poverty, social inequality, administrative officials in which he spoke unlawful privatization of land, the and brought Kurmanbek Bakiev, the about patriotism, declaring, “It is now transfer of the Üzöngü-Kuush mountain leader of the People’s Movement of time for us to come to our senses and pasture to China and the artificial Kyrgyzstan, to the presidency. Before the become Kyrgyz.” He called on the people division between northern and southern July 10, 2005 presidential election, and and government officials to explore their Kyrgyz. Most of these problems were even after it, everything looked brighter. cultural past and learn from their directly attributed to the influence of Bakiev won the election with over 80% centuries-old traditional values and Akaev and his family. A national television of the vote, the other five opponents drew customs. station broadcast the entire event — a only 0.2–.05%. Bakiev formed a new Bakiev also addressed the status of the powerful means of inspiring people and interim government appointing other Kyrgyz language. Over the last 15 years, keeping their post-revolutionary hopes opposition leaders (Azimbek Beknazarov, especially since Akaev made Russian the and spirits high. The broadcast served as Roza Otunbayeva, Ishengül Boljurova, official language, Kyrgyz lost its status a call to citizens of various nationalities Akïlbek Japarov, Adakhan Madumarov, and very little effort was made to preserve to unite and elect their own president. Daniyar Üsönov, etc.) to ministerial it. In response, the new government Such were my first impressions of the posts. According to the Organization for adopted a Kyrgyz version of the national people’s mood and the political atmo- Security and Cooperation in Europe, the anthem this October. sphere in the capital three months after conduct of the presidential election Bakiev also made a popular decision when the revolution. “marked tangible progress,” despite the he appointed Dastan Sarygulov, founder The people’s revolution produced a concerns of others. of the Tengir Ordo Foundation for momentous regime change in the country Bakiev’s inauguration was held in the Preservation and Development of Kyrgyz

4 REECAS NEWSLETTER

Cultural Heritage, to the position of state crisis which seems to be gradually in opposition to Akaev’s regime, are secretary. Dastan had formerly been extinguishing the people’s new hopes of products of the old Soviet system and the dismissed under Akaev. Other revolution political stability, economic change and Communist Party nomenklatura. As State leaders, however, have been dismissed or prosperity. Discontent is growing again. Secretary Dastan Sarygulov pointed out, excluded from the new government According to the Radio Free Europe’s Kyrgyzstan lacks young individuals including Azimbek Beknazarov and Roza Kyrgyz broadcast, on October 6, 2005, the capable of leading the country; therefore, Otunbayeva, who have since formed a new Kyrgyzstan opposition party held its Kyrgyzstan will have to be governed by new opposition party. The population is first official meeting in Bishkek and the older generation of Soviet officials both puzzled and disappointed by the discussed both the triumphs and mistakes until the next generation is prepared. president and parlia-ment’s recent of the revolution. Beknazarov, dismissed Perhaps this is the beginning of ministerial appointments. from his position as general prosecutor Kyrgyzstan’s second transition period The changes that once looked so promis- on September 19, openly accused Bakiev since the Soviet collapse. If so, I hope it ing now appear just as hopeless as the of collaborating closely with the old will not last as long and that the new past. As Kunduz Jenkins notes, “The regime’s officials, stating, “our main government will not repeat the mistakes euphoria of revolution has passed… The mistake was that we toppled Akaev of its predecessor. One important lesson fundamental question that seems to unlawfully, but we chose to do the rest the population learned from its revolu- permeate the populace is whether the according to the law. We should not have tionary experience is the importance of revolution was a step ahead or perhaps followed the law after the revolution, but political activism. People can make their two steps back in the country’s demo- carry out everything under a revolution- voices heard and, as the akïns sang, any cratic and economic development?… ary decree. We had suggested this at that corrupt government or regime, may it The new president and his administration time; however, our current president had be Akaev’s or Bakiev’s, can be brought to 4 have been criticized for not taking more dismissed our suggestion.” This new justice if the people unite. Kyrgyzstan radical and extreme steps in imple- division in the once united opposition took only the first step towards democ- menting new democratic and economic has left the population discouraged. racy by toppling the old regime, many reforms.”3 Six months have passed since In addition to the fracture among the challenges and tasks still lie ahead. People the revolution, and the country is still nations leaders, nearly all of the newly- should not forget that democracy and experiencing a political and economic appointed government officials, although economic prosperity cannot be achieved continued on page 6

© ELMIRA KÖCHÜMKULKÏZÏ The author and members of her family in “Ispï Mountain” pasture in southern Kyrgyzstan.

5 ELLISON CENTER continued from page 5 in a day or even six months, it is a long Eastern Languages and Civilization. Upon region of southern Kyrgyzstan as well as with intellec- and ongoing process which requires a accomplishing her academic goals in the US, tuals in Bishkek about the revolution and its aftermath. lot of hard work. We must keep hoping Elmira intends to return to Kyrgyzstan and 2 Other countries, like Russia and Uzbekistan, sent their defense minister, prime minister or ambassadors. for a better future. ◆ contribute to her country’s educational and 3 Kunduz Jenkins. “Kyrgyz Revolution: One Step Forward socio-cultural development. or Two Steps Back.” Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst. Elmira Köchümkulkïzï is a PhD candidate in Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, 21 Sep 2005. the Near and Middle Eastern Studies www.cacianalyst.org. 1 I am neither a political analyst, nor an expert on revolu- program. She came from Kyrgyzstan to UW 4 Amanbayev, Bakyt. “Beknazarov ïngkïlapchïlardïn tions; rather this article is a snapshot of my impressions negizgi katachïlïktarïn anïktadï” (“Beknazarov unfolded in 1994 as an exchange student and received and observations of selected post-revolution events during the main mistakes of the revolutionists”). Kyrgyz my visit to Kyrgyzstan this summer. However, during my her BA and MA in the department of Near Broadcast. Radio Free Europe, 6 Oct, 2005. visit I did talk with my fellow townsmen in the Aksy www.rferl.org.

Allison joins Ellison!

Straight off the plane from Russia and passion for dance, which Georgia, the Ellison Center welcomed had initially introduced Allison Dvaladze as the new Outreach her to the region in Coordinator this August. The new full- 1992 when she spent a time position will allow the center to year dancing in the dedicate more time and effort to broad- Globe Theater in ening its support of REECAS-related Novosibirsk, Russia. programming for teachers and the greater This time she toured the community. Allison’s first-hand knowledge US with the Georgian of the region combined with her media National Singing and experience and efforts to interest local Dancing Ensemble and students in studying the area make her a then the Eifman Ballet perfect addition to the team. A native of of St. Petersburg, Russia Seattle, this is a homecoming for her handling artist manage- after 13 years in Washington DC and in ment and theater © ALLISON DVALADZE Allison Dvaladze in front of Smolniy Institute in St. Petersberg, Russia. the field. relations issues. Most recently Allison resided in Tbilisi, Deeply affected by her own experiences mechanics of international relations. Georgia where she spent the last two in Siberia after high school, Allison Since arriving at the Ellison Center, years as editor in chief of the English- actively encourages local youth to explore Allison has participated in several language daily, The Messenger, as well as the region for themselves through the outreach activities including Summer of a bi-monthly political/economic organization Camp Siberia which she College for Seniors, GEAR-UP, Master magazine. Thanks to her time spent with co-founded with her mother in 2000. Teacher Workshops and the Washington the National Democratic Institute for Camp Siberia is a year-round community State Social Studies Fall In-Service where International Affairs (NDI), including building and leadership project which she presented to teachers on how to two years in the Tbilisi office working on culminates in a month-long trip to incorporate the Black Sea into their political and civil society development Siberia. Once there, 18 Washington high curricula. projects, she was well positioned and very school students create a summer camp familiar with local politics and personali- for abandoned Russian children. Several Allison enjoys writing and has authored ties when the 2003 Rose Revolution of the returning students have gone on to articles on topics from politics, elections transpired. Allison remembers this as a study Russian in college. and revolutions to transportation and pipelines. She has also appeared on The thrilling and historic time, especially Allison received her BSFS in Culture and NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and been considering her previous efforts to train Politics from the Georgetown School of interviewed for Russian, Georgian and citizens in election monitoring and Foreign Service in 1997 and plans to Turkish TV as well as several documen- parallel vote tabulation — tools utilized pursue advanced studies in the future. tary films. to document the widespread election She has a passion for the Black Sea and fraud in support of the citizens’ demands is particularly interested in how history She is excited about the opportunities for new elections. Prior to her post in and culture influence the development of this position presents and looks forward Georgia, Allison supported NDI’s efforts political systems. During her time at to working with the staff and faculty of in Azerbaijan and Turkey as well as from Georgetown, Allison also took a semester the Ellison Center to explore new the main office in Washington DC. off in 1995 to intern on the Russia Desk possibilities for introducing students to Taking a break from democracy promo- at the US Department of State where she the exciting adventures that await them tion in late 2000, Allison returned to her received valuable insight into the in studying the REECA region. ◆

6 REECAS NEWSLETTER The Inter University Centre: An Oasis of Tolerance in the Heart of War-torn Yugoslavia

BY BENJAMIN GLAHN

ˆ ˆ When the Serbian controlled Yugoslav majesty along a coastline of uncommon As Dragecevic recounted the early history military bombed the Inter University beauty. Yet, the IUC is blessed not only of the IUC, she repeated again and again Centre on the morning of December 6, with the gift of geographic allure, but that the single most important founding 1991, its entire library of more than with an uncompromising devotion to the vision of the IUC was that it always 30,000 books burned amidst the flames ideals that have guided its development considered itself an international and of the nascent war. Eventually the war for more than 30 years, and which autonomous center for the cooperation of would ravage the rest of Yugoslavia as delivered it through a war that threatened universities, professors and students free well, leaving physical destruction and the very tolerance and openness for from any form of government control. political disintegration in its wake. But which it stood. The result of this vision, and the back- unlike Yugoslavia, the Inter University The history of the IUC, however, is bone of the IUC, as she described it, is Centre would survive. decidedly more complex than the horrific the IUC’s unique organizational system Founded in 1971 in Dubrovnik, Croatia events of the early 1990s, the destruction of membership — a system in which by the former rector of the University of of walls or the burning of books. At the member universities take responsibility Zagreb, Ivan Supek, the Inter University time of its founding the IUC represented and ownership for the institution, as a unique and influential well as for its constitutional mandate of approach to the problems absolute “autonomy and independence posed by the Cold War and in formulating and in implementing its the dark and imposing academic policies.” These principles, curtain separating East and written directly into the constitution, West Europe. And much like would not only protect the IUC in its

the Yugoslavia of the 1970s, early years, but would later serve as a

the Centre epitomized an shield against the onslaught of nationalism and political control that accompanied ➞ alternative to the problems raised by the spread of the first years of Croatian independence. international communism Originally developed as an autonomous and the heavy political institution within the organizational influence exerted by the framework of the University of Zagreb, Soviet Union. “a certain functional ambiguity” has In many ways, the creation always existed between the University of

of the IUC reflected Zagreb and the Inter University Centre. Yugoslavia’s position as a The home of the IUC, a massive´ building tolerant and liberal counter- located at Don Frana Bulica 4, conceal

weight to Soviet commu- not only a fragile history, but also a

ˆ nism. In theˆ words of Berta hidden charm and an air of genuine Dragecevic, the executive hospitality. Constructed in 1901, the secretary of the IUC who building was a gift from the city of has served the center Dubrovnik to the University of Zagreb without interruption since in 1971, with the explicit intention of its founding, the IUC providing a home for the IUC. Until the originally aimed to have the end of the Second World War, the IUC world unite in Dubrovnik. building functioned as a women’s

© BENJAMIN GLAHN teaching college, an elementary school ˆ “Dubrovnik was a special ˆ The front of the IUC marred by a bullet hole. and a pedagogical school. Today, the kind of place,” Dragecevic building houses the complete operations Centre (IUC) began as an independent, told me, exposing a hint of nostalgia as of the IUC — classrooms, apartments, international center for advanced studies she leafed through aging books of dormitory rooms, a lecture hall, a coffee devoted to academic openness, tolerance photographs arranged neatly on a table bar, a computer room, numerous and cooperation across the ideological inside her office. “It was a safe haven administrative offices and a recon- and political boundaries of the Cold War. during the Cold War, and our intention structed and repopulated library. The IUC sits just beyond the massive, was always to bring people together from yet stately protective city walls of all different parts of the world — to bring When the first course offered by the IUC Dubrovnik, a formerly independent together East and West and encourage — Theories of Development, Conflict and city-state known for its indescribable them to work together.” Peace — opened in the spring of 1974, continued on page 8

7 ELLISON CENTER

continued from page 8

© BENJAMIN GLAHN The IUC as seen from above.

the young Centre consisted of only 22 out on a couple of scraps of paper had lost during the fire. Such reminders of member universities, it held only a become one of the most revered and the war years can be found hidden in handful of academic courses, and it had unique academic centers for advanced plain sight almost everywhere in the IUC, assembled only a small collection of studies in Europe. but with the exception of the ashen library

professors, students and academics from On the morning of December 6, 1991, catalogue, they are not always obvious.

ˆ across Europe. Over the course of the however, the history of the IUC would Resting on ˆ the coffee table in Berta next 20 years, however, the Inter Univer- change dramatically. The multinational, Dragecevic’s office, for example, along sity Centre would grow into one of the tolerant era of Yugoslavia was coming to with books, programs and other litera- focal points of liberal academic thought an end, and with it, a period of progress ture of the IUC, rests a maroon photo in Europe, attracting academic luminar- and relative security for the IUC. album. The pages document the destruc- ies and promising students from around Although no one died in the bombing, tion by the fire that burned through the the world with the intention of engaging the unyielding stone that had stood building and the pile of artifacts and them in open academic dialogue and untouched since 1901 lay scattered in historic documents saved from the fire. building bridges over the ideological piles of scrap, its great stone exterior trenches of the Cold War. Between October and December 1991, walls and grand staircase the only things almost completely cut off from the By the end of 1991, however, when the that remained. As the fire burned over the outside world and without both water IUC should have been anticipating the course of days, its contents drifted into and electricity, Dubrovnik was shelled celebration of its 20 year anniversary, the air, lost forever. incessantly from the hills that surround smoke and dust were rising from the city Miraculously, however, much of the the city and from the sea that spreads out of Dubrovnik, and the IUC lay splintered, historic documentation of the IUC sur- beyond its famous walls. Almost all of the broken and in flames. During those first vived the fire. The only room spared by palaces, churches and monuments that 20 years, more than 38,000 people had the flames, the IUC’s administrative gave the city its ancient and independent participated in almost 600 courses and office, held all of the institutional docu- character were damaged or destroyed, more than 250 conferences. Membership mentation of the IUC. and Stradun, Dubrovnik’s famous white had risen from 22 original universities in marble promenade that breathes life and 1971 to 240 in 1991. These new members Today, inside these same doors, stand two

light into the heart of the pedestrian old

included universities from Kenya to monuments encased in glass. On the left ´ town, lay riddled with the scars of heavy Denmark, Israel to Brazil, Belgium to sits the original deed for the building at artillery. Bulgaria and from virtually every other Don Frana Bulica 4, dated, 1901. On the European country as well as Iran, South right sits the charred remains of a mostly Despite the destruction of its building, Korea, Japan and the People’s Republic illegible book — a book that once served not to mention the surrounding town, of China. What began as an idea sketched as the catalogue of the 30,000 volumes the work of the IUC never ceased.

8 REECAS NEWSLETTER

Support for the IUC poured into Facing a new political climate and IUC every year. Most importantly, Dubrovnik from its more than 200 different political regime, the University though, the doors remain open to the member universities and from its friends of Zagreb ultimately made the decision world, inviting academics from across the and colleagues around the globe. Sup- to divert its resources and financial globe to engage in open dialogue in the

porters sent letters, money, supplies and support from the IUC to the ICCU. And once independent city of Dubrovnik. And

ˆ most importantly, the assurance that the by 1998, the University of Zagreb had as Berta Dragecevicˆ says, although the IUC and the citizens of Dubrovnik were formed another competing organization IUC faces financial problems and not alone. During the immediate known as the Center for Advanced complicated issues with the University of

aftermath of the bombings, the IUC Academic Studies (CAAS) and placed its Zagreb, the organization can finally feel moved its operations into a small building operations within´ the IUC building at secure in its future. “We claim to have the on Stradun, and using a generator to Don Frana Bulica 4. To this day, the IUC moral right to use all of the space in this provide electricity, managed to salvage shares its home with CAAS, but, in the building because of our many accom-

enough of their operations to organize spirit of its founders, has refused to sign plishments in academic openness and

ˆ two courses during the springˆ of 1992. the CAAS charter. Thus it remains true tolerance in this part of the world…

When Berta Dragecevic recalls the period to its mandate as an absolutely indepen- Regimes never liked us, but somehow we during and immediately after the war, the dent, international institution. always managed.” ´ unusual mix of sadness and pride that Needless to say, this relationship continues Indeed, the building at Don Frana Bulica accompanies those who have resisted and to be the source of confusion and 4 is known as the IUC building. Its crest survived a devastating war is apparent in bureaucratic non-cooperation between frames the double doors of the main her voice. To her, and many others, the the IUC and the University of Zagreb. entry way, its program and schedule hang greatest moral and intellectual victory in The charter of the IUC enables it to on every bulletin board in every hallway,

the history of the IUC was that the world remain in the building, but the organiza- and its spirit informs the conversations,

ˆ never stopped coming to Dubrovnik. ˆ tions within its walls compete for space, dialogue and interactions that occur “Our greatest satisfaction,” Dragecevic said with a firm and graceful devotion, “is that our work never stopped… The bombs killed the building, but they couldn’t kill our spirit because it existed in so many people and institutions around the world.” The complications and difficulties that have always accompanied the work of the IUC, however, did not cease when the shells finally stopped falling on Dubrovnik in the spring of 1995. The IUC had originally been founded as an indepen- dent, autonomous center for advanced studies in Yugoslavia, but when the new Croatian government began to solidify its hold on what it perceived to be national institutions, the IUC lay firmly within its

sights. As an autonomous institution © BENJAMIN GLAHN within the organizational structure of the The old library catalog damaged in the fire. University of Zagreb, the new political schedules and even programs. Ultimately, within its reconstructed walls. In structure of independent Croatia if it were not for the generous and timely addition, the work of the IUC over the attempted to recast the IUC as a center support provided by the Open Society last three decades has spawned an for the advancement of national universi- Institute and George Soros, as well as from unknown number of books, contacts and ties, which it called the International the Volkswagen Foundation and the Ford ideas. When George Soros, one of the Center of Croatian Universities (ICCU). Foundation, the IUC may have long ago Centre’s most influential supporters, Fortunately for the IUC, the careful succumbed to the hostile bureaucratic introduces incoming students to the wording of its constitution, as well as the attacks that followed Croatian indepen- Central European University he founded support of its member universities, the dence. in Budapest, Hungary, he always credits

University of Zagreb and several interna- Today, the IUC is more resilient than the Central European University’s tional foundations, enabled the IUC to´ ever. Membership now stands at nearly inception from his participation at the continue its operations within the recon- 180 universities, with 60–70 courses IUC in 1989. structed building at Don Frana Bulica 4. offered and conferences held annually. On But just as there are reminders of the war Eventually, however, even the University average, more than 2,500 professors and years and the scars burned into the history of Zagreb pulled its support for the IUC. students participate in the work of the of the building, there are also reminders continued on page 10

9 ELLISON CENTER

continued from page 9

of the bureaucratic complications that of Zagreb installed new clocks on the bridges across ideological divides that

ˆ continue to plague the IUC. To this day, landing of each level of stairs, but simplyˆ over the last turbulent decades, have all of the clocks stand stopped at 9:20. It never started them. Berta Dragecevic seemed too large to cross. ◆ would perhaps be easy to interpret this as has repeatedly tried to get them started yet another reminder of the day the over the years, but to no avail. Unlike the Benjamin Glahn is a graduate student in the Ellison Center for Russian, East European bombs fell on the IUC, but in actuality, it motionless clocks, however, the IUC and Central Asian Studies at the University is simply an unintentional result of the continues to move forward, as it always of Washington. His fields of study are complicated relationships that exist with- has, as a unique and resilient reminder of Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian language and the in the IUC building. During the recon- the power of openness and tolerance and history of the former Yugoslavia. He plans to struction of the building, the University of the critical importance of building graduate in June 2006.

The 17th Annual Nicholas Poppe Symposium on Central/Inner Asian Studies

BY STEFAN KAMOLA

The 17th Annual mentally sound coffee, we demonstrate OTHER PRESENTATIONS INCLUDED: Nicholas Poppe the international perspective of many Symposium on environmentalist movements (the WTO The Emerging Sino-Afghan Relationship Central/Inner riots, although less prosaic, did likewise). Justin Miller, UW China Studies Program Asian Studies held The situation in Uzbekistan is somewhat Historical Stages in the Development of May 14, 2005, different because the populations, Uzbek Civic Society began by address- threatened by environmental degradation, Nodira Mahkomova, Senior Researcher, ing the current are also delimited by national boundaries. Institute of History, Uzbek Academy of focus of the field For this reason, the glasnost-era protest Sciences, Tashkent, Uzbekistan and its legitimacy against Soviet environmental policies in

© NELC in drawing upon Uzbekistan took on a distinctly national Building a “University of Washington Nicholas Poppe, the Poppe tradi- tone. The magnitude and immediacy Center” in Tashkent founder of the annual tion. In response of the situation, and the example of other Charles Carlson, Visiting Professor, UW symposium. to an e-mail from Soviet writers writing on environmental NELC, Prague/Tashkent Professor Erdahl in Frankfurt questioning issues at the time, led several writers Ilse Cirtautas, UW NELC the legitimacy of the symposium, which in Uzbekistan to take up the issue as The History and Goals of the American Erdahl believed long ago ceased to reflect an aspect of the national, anti-colonial Center for Mongolian Studies the work of Nicholas Poppe, Professor struggle. Charles Krusekopf, Royal Roads Univer- Carlson began his talk by arguing that the Continuing on the theme of literature, sity, Victoria, Canada nature of the discipline has changed one Uzbek author, Baymirza Hayit, re- several times over the past centuries, and Kyrgyz Women in the Perception of ceived a special tribute from Ilse Cirtautas. a rigid adherence to Poppe’s “Turkology” Western Travelers of the 19th Century Hayit, a virulently anti-Soviet Uzbek does not suit the field as it exists today. Cholpon Turdalieva, Fulbright Scholar, writer whose works demonstrate a Furthermore, it is following in Poppe’s Abayev University, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan unique attitude towards Soviet-Uzbek example as, in his own time, he helped relations, was recently a guest scholar at Spiritual Legitimacy: Causes of Factual redefine the discipline from a focus on UW. Born in 1917, Hayit lost a brother to Violence in Chinese Naqshbandiyya Anatolian and Ottoman Turkish to the the Soviet repression of the Basmachis. Tariqa larger scope of Central Asian and Later, in exile, Hayit continually de- Kristian Petersen, University of Colorado at Eurasian studies. nounced Soviet policies in Turkestan, a Boulder, Department of Religious Studies Christina Szabo’s discussion on Uzbek phrase he persisted to use even as the rest Comments on the Tawarikh-i authors and their contributions to eco- of the world gradually acquiesced to the Musiqiyyun by Mulla Ismatulla Mojizi, logical and national awareness brought Soviet demarcation of republics. Professor an Uighur of the Early 18th Century the conversation back to a very practical Cirtautas concluded by asking if, under Will Sumits, UW, NELC issue. She began with the choices that we, the principle of double-negation, the as West Coast, latte-loving, ecologically Party’s denunciation of Hayit as a “falsifier Asian Music aware, democratically-minded citizens, of Soviet history” unintentionally Will Sumits, Alfredo Gormezano, make. For example, in buying environ- acknowledged the value of his writing. ◆ Elmira Kochumkulkizi

10 REECAS NEWSLETTER

Announcing the New Embodiment of Treadgold Papers: Treadgold Studies Published in Conjunction with UW Press

For information about earlier issues, visit our website: http://depts.washington.edu/reecas/dwt/dwt.htm

Orders for earlier issues should be directed to: Managing Editor, The Donald W. Treadgold Papers in Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington, Box 353650, Seattle, WA 98195-3650. Tel: 206-221-6348, Fax: 206-685-0668, E-mail: [email protected]. Submissions are welcomed. For submission information, contact Glennys Young, Editor, at the above address.

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History, Alive and Kicking in the Baltics

BY LAURA A. DEAN

Two columns of burning candles form an illuminated walkway guiding onlookers toward a crowd of people huddled around the Freedom Monument in the Latvian capital of Riga. The crowd’s weathered faces, brightened by the candles spelling out Visu Latvijai “Everything for Latvia,” tell the story of a different time. Some are crying, but all are singing Latvian folksongs in solemn remembrance of the day, 66 years ago, when their fate was determined by the hands of others. August 23, 2005, marks the 66th anniver- sary of the signing of the Molotov- Ribbentrop Pact. This agreement between Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia in 1949, divided the majority of Eastern Europe into two spheres of influence, with Latvia and the other Baltic States falling into the Soviet sphere. With this agreement, the Soviet Union gained assurances that the Nazi Regime would not retaliate when Soviet troops occupied the Baltic States in 1940. The occupation continued until 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed from within and the Baltic countries were finally freed.

© LAURA DEAN © LAURA This is one event I witnessed this summer Examples of Soviet propaganda posters in Russian and Latvian in Riga’s Museum of Occupation. that exemplifies how alive history is today in the Baltic States. It is a part of everyday not end oppression. The agreement at affected peoples and enhanced regional conversations and often a point of Yalta followed in the unjust tradition of stability.”5 contention. The largest daily newspaper Munich and the Molotov-Ribbentrop I spent my summer in the midst of this in Latvia, Latvijas Avize, runs a history Pact…The United States refused to recog- history as a research assistant at the brief alongside the daily weather and 3 nize your occupation by an empire.” Museum of Occupation in Riga, Latvia. exchange rates on page two.1 This brief Following President Bush’s visit, the US The museum gives the Latvian perspective could be about anything from World War House of Representatives passed by of the events of the first Soviet occupa- II to the Hanseatic League. unanimous consent House Concurrent tion of 1940–41, the Nazi occupation of Likewise history frames Latvian concep- Resolution 128, which sought an 1941–45, and finally the second Soviet tions of current world affairs. President acknowledgement and condemnation by occupation of 1945–91. Of my duties at Bush’s visit to Latvia in May 2005 made the Russian Federation of the Soviet the museum, I most enjoyed informing headlines not just because he was only Union’s occupation of Estonia, Latvia people about this history. I gave tours of the second US president to visit Latvia, and Lithuania.4 The resolution called for the museum to people from very but because he addressed the past. The Russia to take action; “Resolved by the different backgrounds, including school United States never officially recognized House of Representatives (the Senate groups, tourists, academics and diplo- the occupation of the Baltic States by the concurring), that it is the sense of mats. To my surprise, despite how alive Soviets, but President Bush addressed Congress that the Government of the this history is in Latvia, it is a history this on his visit, stating “I recognize that Russian Federation should issue a clear known to few beyond the Baltics. Visitors in the West, the end of the Second World and unambiguous statement of admission were surprised to learn what had War meant peace, but in the Baltic region, and condemnation of the illegal occupa- happened to the Baltic States, how they it brought occupation and communist tion and annexation by the Soviet Union had been occupied, the mass deportations oppression.”2 He continued by question- from 1940 to 1991 of the Baltic countries of Latvian citizens and how they were ing the United States’ shortcomings at the of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, the literally trapped in the middle of World end of military conflict in Europe, “V-E consequence of which will be a signifi- War II. The museum illustrates what the Day marked the end of fascism, but it did cant increase in goodwill among the country has endured, making it possible

12 REECAS NEWSLETTER

to understand not only Latvia’s past, but but just because they are different, does Laura A. Dean is a second-year REECAS MA also its future, especially its return to not mean that they should be neglected. graduate student. She spent this past Europe. Walter Clemens, one of the most revered summer in Latvia doing research for her master’s thesis, a comparative analysis of The Baltic countries were caught in the scholars on the Baltic countries, writes, “The Baltics geographical position civil society during Latvia’s two periods of middle of World War II, so why are they independence, sponsored by grants from the now left out of textbooks and courses should warrant, it seems, interest from scholars on both sides—those studying Boba Summer Research Fellowship and the about Eastern Europe? In pondering why American Latvian Youth Association. so many people are unfamiliar with the Europe as well as those who specialize history of the Baltic States, I thought mostly in Russia/Soviet Union and East back to my own education. Nearly all of Europe. However, unlike the case of the classes I have taken on Eastern Central Asian studies where since the Europe and Russia glazed over the Baltics. collapse of the Soviet Union both Russian The only reason I knew anything about and Middle East Scholars claim it as their them is due to my studies at the University field of study, nobody seems to fight over 6 of Latvia as an undergraduate through the Baltics.” Clemens’ statement lives on the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, even here at the University of Washington the only US undergraduate program of as the Baltic Studies program is admini- its kind to Latvia. Only when I attended stered by the Scandinavian Studies the University of Washington as a grad- Department and even then only in con- uate student did I actually take classes junction with the Center for Russian, entirely devoted to these three countries. East European and Central Asian Studies.7 It is because the UW has the only Baltic Clemens further writes that “no border Studies program in the country that I area is more critical to European security chose to study here. During my nascent than the shatterbelt where the three Baltic academic career I have met many countries face both West and East.”8 scholars and professors who do not see The Baltic countries can also be seen as where the Baltic region fits and thus leave an example for others who seek to follow it out of classes where it belongs. Admit- in their EU footsteps. tedly, they are unique historical examples, In addition to their understanding of the Soviet system, the governments of the Baltic States have been beneficial to Eastern Europe and beyond as advocates of democracy. They were vocal support-

ers of the Orange Revolution in Ukraine DEAN © LAURA and they also send representatives to The Museum of Occupation’s recreation of Belarus annually to push for democratic the gulag. reforms. The Baltic States are also assisting with accession talks currently underway with potential European 1 Latvijas Avize. 28 Sep. 2005. www.la.lv/?id=2. Union members such as Turkey. Through 2 President, Baltic State Presidents Discuss Strong Latvia’s membership in the North Relationship. The White House. 5 Oct. 2005 www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/05/ Atlantic Treaty Organization, 20050507-6.html. it has participated in international peace- 3 President Discusses Freedom and Democracy in Latvia. keeping missions to Afghanistan, Bosnia- The White House. 29 Sep. 2005. 9 www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/05/ Herzegovina, Iraq, Georgia and Kosovo. 20050507-8.html. For all of these reasons, the Baltics should 4 Joint Baltic American National Committee. 20 Sep. be seen as examples of democracy for 2005. www.jbanc.org/hres128.html. those countries in the former Soviet 5 United States Congress. Thomas legislative information Union with their eyes set on joining the on the internet. 29 Sep. 2005. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c109:1:./temp/ European Union and NATO. They should ~c1098ZIBaN. be noted as a success story of how, in less 6 Clemens Jr., Walter C. “Why Study the Baltics? How?” than 15 years, they have been transformed News Net, December 2002: v. 42, n.5 pg. 1 from an authoritarian regime with no 7 Ibid. independent government nor army of 8 Ibid. their own to full fledged NATO and 9 Latvian Ministry of Defense. 5 Oct. 2005. www.mod.gov.lv/index.php?pid=13164.

© LAURA DEAN © LAURA European Union members. This is what Laura in front of the Museum of Occupation makes their history so interesting and in Riga. important. ◆

13 ELLISON CENTER

Application to Take a Less Commonly Taught Language for Current and Prospective UW Students and Faculty

The REECAS Program offers instruction in many languages from the region, but we have found that there is the occasional need for a graduate student to take a less commonly taught language (LCTL) not available at the University or to attain training at a more advanced level in one of our regularly-taught regional languages. Often, students will enroll in summer language programs for this sort of LCTL or advanced training, but that provides only one year of study, and many students would prefer to take LCTLs or advanced language courses during the regular academic year. In order to augment our offerings, The Ellison Center has attained some funding from the US Department of Education to support LCTL/advanced language tutorials. Thus we are inviting applications to propose such tutorials for the 2006–07 academic year. A fellowship committee composed of REECAS Program faculty will meet in March to consider applications. We expect to make our decisions as expeditiously as possible so that announcements of the awards can be made by the beginning of April. During specified quarters of 2006–07, successful applicants will be provided with a tutor from the appropriate native-speaker community in the Puget Sound region and a faculty member to oversee the tutorial, in order to provide necessary language skills. We will consider the following factors in making our decision: the importance of the tutorial for achieving students’ professional/academic goals, the number of other students interested in the same language or language level and the availability of appropriate native- language tutors.

Applications TO APPLY: Please submit a 2-page essay, double-spaced, 12-point font (Courier, Arial are due or Times New Roman), with 1 inch margins on all sides, to explain your interest in March 1, 2006. learning a LCTL or advanced level of a regional language and your plans for utilizing it in your research or post-graduate endeavors. You must be UW faculty or a student to be considered. Applications are due March 1, 2006. If you are currently enrolled in the university, please submit a transcript and letter of recom- mendation along with your essay. Please send files to: James Augerot, Director, Ellison Center Program, Box 353650, Seattle, WA 98195

14 REECAS NEWSLETTER

Churches of Northern Russia

“North” in Russia is a broad concept, but many Russians understand it as an historic region defined by a network of rivers and lakes leading to the White Sea. These photos are taken from a recent Ellison Center sponsored exhibition of William Craft Brumfield’s photography entitled the Heritage of the Russian North. Brumfield, photographer and historian of Russian architec- ture, has worked in Russia for more than three decades.

© WILLIAM BRUMFIELD Interior of the Church of the Annunciation in Solvychegodsk.

© WILLIAM BRUMFIELD © WILLIAM BRUMFIELD Church of Dormition in Varzuga. Church of the Annunciation in Solvychegodsk.

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Recent Acquisitions for the REECAS Outreach Collection

The Ellison Center is pleased to present a Marvin Hier, Founder and Dean of the Crisis in Kosovo, 1999 selection of the most recent additions to Simon Wiesenthal Center, and Professor (GRADES 6–12) our outreach materials collection. Films, Bernard Goldberg, Director of the Providing helpful historic background, teaching guides, educational software American Jewish Cultural Studies this video briefly explains how Yugoslavia packages, reference texts and other Program at West Los Angeles College. — once stable under Tito — fractured resources are available for two-week into the states of Slovenia, Croatia, checkout to students, faculty, staff and Poland: “We’ve Caught God by the Bosnia, Macedonia, Montenegro and the K-12 teachers. For more information, Arm,” 2000 dominant Serbia. Students are led to including a complete listing of available (31 MIN – VHS) research and discuss such questions as: materials, visit the Ellison Center Chronicles the 1980 Gdansk Shipyard Was NATO right to bomb Serbia, or did in 203B Thomson Hall, University of strike that won Poles the right to have bombing do more harm than good? What Washington, telephone us at (206) 543- free trade unions, launched the Solidarity will be the long-term effects of NATO’s 4852 or email [email protected]. movement, and catapulted Lech Walesa action? Why did the United States stand on a path of leadership that eventually aside when ethnic killings occurred in won him a Nobel Peace Prize in 1983 and Films: places like Rwanda and East Timor? Is the led to the fall of communism in Poland. KLA equally guilty of atrocities? Is it Daughters of Afganistan, 2004 reasonable to compare Milosevic with Yalta: Peace, Power and Betrayal, 2002 (58 MIN – DVD) (GRADES 9 AND UP) Hitler? Includes an 11"h x 17"w poster (56 MIN – VHS) (GRADES 7 AND UP) After the Taliban fell, Afghan women felt and a 12-page guide with reproducible a rush of freedom before Islamic funda- Documenting a story of hope and irony, worksheets. mentalists again denied them rights as the Yalta recounts the February 1945 meeting world silently stood by. In this documen- of Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin at a Moor, Dmitrii – Masters of Soviet tary, Canadian journalist Sally Armstrong Black Sea resort in Russia’s Crimea. Caricature, 1986 tells the stories of five women and their Agreements made at Yalta — occupation (TEACHING RESOURCE) RUSSIAN struggles to survive hardship and repres- of Germany, prosecution of war crimi- (Moscow: Sovetskii Khudozhnik) This sion. Centered on Dr. Sima Samar — a nals, the governance of Poland, Russia’s collection represents works by Soviet champion who defied the Taliban and entry into the war against Japan and caricaturist Dmitrii Moor (1883–1946), served briefly in the transitional govern- setting up the UN — would dramatically one of the founders of Soviet political ment — the program also profiles a alter postwar history. Includes extensive graphics (political cartoons). He used school principal, a housewife, a widow film of the conference itself, background satire in political posters, caricatures and and a girl whose childhood was lost to footage of events before and after and cartoons. war. An outstanding resource for women’s comments by historians like Robert Dallek studies or global education. DVD and Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. One Day in the Life of Boris Denisovich, features: Sally Armstrong commentary 1963 (GRADES 9–12) track and interviews. Solzhenitsyn’s first book, economical in Curricular: its prose, yet relentless in its message, is Mongol Empire, 1989 one of the most forceful artistic indict- (30 MIN – DVD) Atlas of Russian History, 2002 ments of political oppression in the (Timeline series) In a mock news report (GRADES 6–12) Stalin-era Soviet Union. The simply-told journalists report on events occurring By Martin Gilbert. From early Slavic story of a typical, grueling day of the during the time of the Mongol Empire settlements to the establishment of the titular character’s life in a labor camp in and its effects on Europe and the Near CIS, nearly 170 detailed maps survey Siberia, is a modern classic of Russian East and stage interviews with historical Russian history from 800 BCE to the late literature and quickly cemented and common persons living at the time. 20th century. Arranged into four broad Solzhenitsyn’s international reputation chronological categories (ancient and upon publication in 1962. It is painfully Elie Wiesel Goes Home, 2002 early modern Russia, imperial Russia, the apparent that Solzhenitsyn himself spent (108 MIN – DVD) Soviet Union, the end of the Soviet time in the gulags — he was imprisoned This film follows the Nobel laureate as he Union), maps cover topics such as war for nearly a decade as punishment for travels back to his homeland, in what was and conflict, political developments, making derogatory statements about then part of Hungary, to Auschwitz and economics and trade, territorial changes Stalin in a letter to a friend. ◆ Birkenau. It is narrated by William Hurt and society and culture. All maps include who reads from Mr. Wiesel’s critically legends to symbols along with explana- acclaimed works. Following the feature tory text; some maps also offer brief are interviews with Jewish scholars Rabbi quotes from primary sources.

16 REECAS NEWSLETTER

Kazakh Literature: The Unexplored Steppe of Understanding BY KARINA NARYMBETOVA

Historic and contemporary literary Zhuravskoi. Two chapters in the book are traditions of Kazakhstan remain regret- devoted to Kazakhstan and its people. tably understudied by the West. Under- Here, for the first time, American readers estimating the role of Kazakh literature is learned of the distinguished Kazakh poet, unfortunate as literature is vital to Abai Kunanbayev, the founder of Kazakh understanding the essence of Kazakh written literature. society. Abai Kunanbayev also introduced world Western scholars have long been drawn literature to his own people. His life was to Kazakhstan’s vast unknown territory, additionally described in the work Abai’s rich history and unique culture. American Way by a very talented Kazakh writer, contact with Kazakhstan goes back to playwright, literary critic and well-known 1873, when Eugene Schuyler, an Ameri- public figure, Mukhtar Auezov. This can diplomat, and J. A. MacGahan, the world-renowned book is considered not correspondent of the New York Herald, merely a catalogue of Abai’s life, but “the first ventured to Central Asia. As a result, encyclopedia of half a century of life of Notes of a Journey in Russian Turkestan, the Kazakh people.” Translated into Khokand, Buhara and Kulja was published numerous languages and published in in 1873. This work turned out to be the many countries this epic work has yet to first significant resource on Central Asia gain popularity in the US. and it remained so for years. The book Following the collapse of the Soviet attempts to introduce Central Asia to Union, Kazakhstan became more accessi- the reader as the authors saw it while ble to foreign scholars and thus more

traveling the Silk Road. It contains con- works on Kazakhstan and its culture © IRAJ BASHIRI appeared in the West. Still, despite the A monument ot Abai Kunanbayev in Almaty, wealth of publications on Kazakh culture, Kazakhstan. there remain few works on Kazakh literature. of the Kazakh literary heritage. Yet sadly this work of scientific, cognitive and One of the first western scholars to cultural importance is unique. recognize the importance of literature in the history and modern life of the Since the 1980s distinguished Kazakh Kazakh nation was Thomas Winner, the scholars have referred to Winner’s book author of the first complete monograph in their works and publications. Since it on Kazakh literature, The Oral Art and has neither been translated into Kazakh Literature of Kazakhs of Russian Central nor Russian, it has yet to attain recogni- Asia, first published in 1958. The book tion by the broader public. In addition, was reprinted in 1980 as part of the the translation of this book will promote World Oral Literature series. The series is the process of better cultural understand- comprised of 40 books, but only one ing between the West and Kazakhstan. book — Winner’s — on Central Asian In conclusion, much can be gained oral epic. The Oral Art and Literature of through further study of Kazakh litera- Kazakhs of Russian Central Asia should be ture by Western scholars. ◆

© HISTORYCENTRAL.COM of great interest to literary critics and oral Political analyst, advisor and dipomat, literature specialists and also a good Karina Narymbetova was the Junior Faculty George Kennan. source of information for interdiscipli- Development Program scholar 2004–05. nary specialists, economists, politicians As such, she traveled to Washington State to do research for her PhD last fall. She siderable information about Kazakhstan, and lawyers for its overview of economic plans to complete her degree in comparative its people, geography, history, culture and development, social structure, political language. literature in 2007. This article is a part of formation, religion and other facets of the ongoing research “Kazakh American Another notable book on Kazakhstan Kazakh society. Based on rich literary literary relations of XX century.” She is also is Siberia and the Exile System by George source material and exuding the author’s an English Instructor at al Farabi Kazakh Kennan (1891). In 1906 the book was great interest in the topic, this book is an National University in the School of translated into Russian by Z. N. important step in the proper scholarship International Relations.

17 ELLISON CENTER

Central Asian Summer Program BY CARRIE DYK

This summer 7 students participated in UW’s Intensive Advanced Uzbek course taught by Muhammad Ali Ahmedov. Ahmedov, or Muhammad Ali Aka as his students affectionately called him, is a renouned author from Uzbekistan who has participated in UW’s summer language program for a number of years. This year Professor Cirtautas structured the course so as to provide not only for the advancement of students’ vocabulary, but also the cultivation of an understanding of how Uzbeks perceive themselves. Since all communication takes place within certain cultural paradigms, under- standing a culture’s history, religion and values are all important in the ultimate aim of communication. Course material included everything from Soviet history to modern poetry. Rather than working from a book, new vocabulary and grammar were drawn from primary sources as well as lectures by native speakers and indigenously produced film. Along with the daily language class, a translation workshop took place two afternoons a week. Each of the students selected a text according to their own literary taste and personal interests, which they then translated over the course of the quarter. This summer translations included traditional Uzbek folk tales, humorous stories about a regional hero named Afandi and portions of one of Muhammad Ali’s books about his previous experience in Seattle. Each year the Seattle-Tashkent Sister City organization selects the best of the translations to be honored. Thanks to SSRC and FLAS scholarships, all of the students in the class were fully funded and thus able to focus on language learning. The best part of the summer course, however, was Muhammad Ali. His extensive knowledge and excellent pedagogical skills as well as genuine interest in each of the students made this summer both highly profitable in terms of language improvement, as well as a truly enjoyable experience. ◆

REECAS 2005: MA GRADUATES AND THESIS TITLES

Maya Nikolaeva The Image of the Other in the Context of the Turkish Nikolova Minority in Bulgaria (1878–1941)

Kathryn A. Terry Nuclear Safety Culture in the Wake of Chornobyl: An Examination of the Nuclear Energy Industry and its Legacy in the Post-Soviet States

Ieva Butkute Effects of the European Union’s Accession Negotiations in the Area of Migration on Lithuania

Sarah Isakson A Decade of Anti-War Activism Under Milosevic: From Start to Finish

Sophia Flores-Cruz The Russian Stabilization Fund: Identifying its Ideal Environment

Alexander L. Kireev Putin’s Federative Reforms in Russia: A Step Towards Authoritarianism or a Necessary Centralization of the Disorganized State?

18 REECAS NEWSLETTER

ELLISON CENTER NEWS

In June JAMES FELAK participated in the BETH KOLKO received a Fulbright CARRIE O’DONOGHUE, the Ellison Christianity in Eastern Europe Project, a Scholarship to travel to Kyrgyzstan in Center Program Coordinator, gave birth workshop aimed at bringing together 2005–06. She was also awarded an to her second child, Griffyn Thomas specialists in East European history who IREX Embassy Policy Specialist short- Caddy on July 14 of this year. At birth, wish to become more familiar with the term grant to work on media issues in Griffyn was 20 inches and 6lbs, 8oz. methodologies and interpretative Uzbekistan. Her trip is pending, however, Both mother and baby are doing well. approaches of religious and church due to the situation in the country. history. At the workshop, he presented his research on the Catholic Church in Also, on September 12, 2005, Associate Slovakia after the Second World War, in SARAH STEIN, Associate Professor Director, MARTA MIKKELSEN, gave birth particular the variety of approaches to of History, is a finalist for the Koret to Lindsay Britt Burnet. She was 21 the new political situation as exemplified Jewish Book Award for 2003–04 from inches and 8lbs 4oz. Both mother and by four Catholic priests who were active the Koret Foundation, for her book, daughter are healthy and well. in political or cultural life. He also Making Jews Modern: The Yiddish and moderated a panel on “Churches and Ladino Press in the Russian and Ottoman This summer the UW POLISH STUDIES Authoritarian Regimes.” His article Empires. ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE (UWPSEC), entitled “The Democratic Party and the officially establish the Polish Studies Execution of Jozef Tiso” will be appearing A. MAHIN KARIM was promoted from Endowment Fund with an opening in a forthcoming issue of the journal balance of $35,000. This is the first step Slovakia. Finally, he gave a lecture on Assistant Director to Director of Eurasia in establishing a Chair of Polish Studies Czech history and introduced the Czech Studies at The National Bureau of Asian Research. and ultimately creating a Center of Polish film “United We Stand” at an “Evening in Studies at the University of Washington. Prague” fundraiser at Mountlake Terrace High School, where he also spoke on UWPSEC, in cooperation with REECAS, GORDANA P. CRNKOVIC, Associate East European history to the Advanced also announced this summer the signing Professor of Slavic Languages and Placement European History classes. of a three-year contract with the US- Literatures and Comparative Literature, Poland Fulbright Commission to bring participated in the conference “Croatia Fulbright Scholars of Polish Studies to KLAUS BRANDL’S recent publications after the War,” held this summer in Inter the University of Washington. The include a textbook analysis he co- University Centre (IUC), Dubrovnik, scholars, who will be selected by the authored in the Journal of the Washington Croatia. Crnkovic’s presentations Fulbright commission in cooperation Association of Language Teaching, 26 (1), addressed contemporary Croatian with the University of Washington over 7-20, an article, “Are you ready to literature and cultural anti-nationalism the coming months, will present a ‘MOODLE’?” in Language Learning & in Croatia. She also spoke this past unique resource for UW students Technology, 9, (2), 16-23, and a co- spring at Norwegian University of Science interested in literature, culture, history authored chapter “Aligning in Foreign and Technology (NTNU), in Trondheim, or politics of Eastern Europe. Language Instruction” in Donald H. Norway, on “The Battle for Croatia: Wulff, et al. (Eds.), Aligning for Learning Three Films by Vinko Bresan.” Crnkovic (134–146). Bolton, MA: Anker Publishing pursued her research in Croatia as well as JUSTIN ODUM (REECAS MA 2003) has Company. He also gave a talk on The Bosnia and Herzegovina through support been working for Mercy Corps in Effective Use of PowerPoint in the Lan- from IREX. Currently she is researching Tajikistan for a year. He reports that they guage Classroom at American Association the relationship between the Spanish have recently opened a new irrigation of Teachers of German in Baldwin, Civil War and Yugoslav literature and project, two drinking water projects and Kansas this past September. In August he culture with a grant from UW’s Walter an electricity project. Additionally, they attended EuroCALL in Cracow, Poland Chapin Simpson Center for the Humani- are involved in building bridges to where he oversaw a workshop on moving ties. She has recently completed chapters connect isolated villages. He has also first-year language instruction online and in “Democratic Transition in Croatia: served as a liaison with Mercy Corps the hidden effects on student learning. Croatia after 1995,” R. Oldenbourg Verlag, staff in Uzbekistan, where he has Professor Brandl also oversaw a panel Germany and “Slavonic Literatures After experienced first-hand how government discussion at the WAFLT Spring Regional 1989 in Dialogue with Europe and the pressures are creating difficulties for the Conference in Bellingham last March. World,” Dom Wydawniczy Elipsa, Warsaw. organization’s activities. ◆

19 ELLISON CENTER

The Noble Women of the Manas1 BY CARRIE DYK

Although the art of war is often associ- maids took the reigns of the horses and it nags at their souls as they contemplate ated with men, in The Great Campaign looked after them. Kanikei likewise going to war. Thus, it is notable that part episode of the monumental epic poem of helped, “showing her skill, and quick wits of Kanikei’s blessing is an assurance of the Central Asian nomads, Manas, the in her head.”4 In a culture where a family peace about this very issue.12 value and influence of women is evident. unit was self-dependent, a skilled wife Likewise, this issue of leaving women as These heroic women are represented as would indeed be of great worth, and widows and orphans is one of their spiritual and intellectual equals to the from the descriptions found in this story, cruelest expressions of hatred towards men and in some ways the women even the women were indubitably highly- their enemies. In hopes of inspiring the seem to exceed their male counterparts. skilled and worthy of esteem. great men to join him in war, Manas Although the duties of men and women The men of the Manas value the hearts of describes the terrors he intends to inflict are for the most part distinct, even these women even above that of the work of upon the Chinese, one of which is to rules are not hard and fast. All-in-all, their hands. Although the women are “make wives and daughter wail.”13 This The Great Campaign presents a depiction described as being level-headed and wise, element of fear arises from the assump- of a strong, capable, passionate, wise and they are also passionate. As the men are tion that leaving women as widows is a highly valued woman. departing for battle, Kanikei cries out for cruel thing, something they know from The Manas has been recited by Central them to wait. “Kanikei, with her eyes full their own hearts as they had formerly Asian akïns, both male and female, for of tears, / Murmured soft words then into envisioned their wives’ pain, loneliness centuries. Its verses contain an account his ears”5 pleading with Manas to and distress should they die in battle. of their people’s first great leader and war tell her when he would return. Kanikei, Manas and his army also show honor in hero, Manas, whose story is so revered a woman as strong of spirit as any of the the words they speak and the tenderness that only singers filled with his spirit can men standing there, is willing to lay her with which they interact with their recite it. The story is broken into episodes heart open and tell of her deepest desires.6 Kyrgyz wives upon their return. In that depict each part of human life and Though she “could sleep on a golden addition to referring to their spouses as because Manas’ spirit is considered so divan,”7 it is still “a cold bed”8 without “dear wives”14 and the use of descriptors great that it can never die, stories of his her beloved. Upon hearing her speech such as “quick-witted,”15 the men give decendants continue the legend. When Manas admits, “What you have said . . . / elaborate speeches about the worth they collected, all of the episodes of Manas are Touches me deeply, right to [the] core.”9 see in the women before them. Kanikei’s longer than that of Homer’s Illiad and Thus, the women equip their husbands maid-servants are described thus as they Odyssey combined, and thus the recita- for battle not only with material goods, greet Manas and his men: tion can go for days on end and is a major but also with emotion provision. Married women, in head-scarves cultural event. The Manas serves as both a Yet again, Manas’ attitude regarding the of white. mirror of and mold for the Central Asian Chinese women they capture in battle nomad’s worldview. Many they summoned to stand shows that they were valued; “When they in her sight, The women in the Manas possessed bring maidens to you, for your joy, / It Those sweet creatures, with exception talents in terms of their would be coarse then, their men to courteous word, 2 10 handicrafts and husbandry. Before destroy!” In this decision, the presump- Those wise women, who sought Manas and his warriors depart for battle, tion is that the women they are taking are naught absurd. Manas’ wife, Kanikei presents them with more than just objects. Rather, their Those who were gracious, and kalpaks3 of extraordinary quality, which feelings and honor are considered as they swarthy-faced, would keep them safe despite the blazing are incorporated into the homes of the Those with a supple and slender summer sun. From the unmarred hides men who fought for the right to call waist, of goats shot through the eye and care- them their own. Those who bound them with fully cured for months, Kanikei and her As the men carefully weigh the conse- 90 maids have prepared trousers for each girdles tight, quences of war upon their wives and Forty maids stood in Kanikei’s of the men that are impenetrable. After daughters, the value they place upon them providing for their horses, Kanikei and sight, and their emotions become strikingly Dressed in satin, s-rusting light, her maids prepare an elaborate feast for clear: “Oh! As orphans our children will Eyes which gleamed like a the men with culinary delicacies that the wait! / Oh! We have taken our own poor mirror bright. women had worked all year to prepare. lives! / Oh! Into widows we’ll turn our Those who were fragrant as In addition to the traditional domestic wives! / Oh! On our fold we’ve brought 16 roles, these Central Asian women were down woe!”11 The prospect of leaving the honey and musk. knowledgeable about horses. As soon as women they love and cherish alone in In this account, the women’s integrity, the men arrived at Kanikei’s palace, her the world is such a deep-seated fear that cleanliness, social grace, wisdom, logic,

20 REECAS NEWSLETTER

language usage. In fact, the text I used for this paper was from a Russian translation. Although biases may have crept in and portions of the story either edited out or added in, distancing us from the more traditional version, the Soviet era is part of the history of the Central Asian nomadic people as they are today. It is therefore relevant to study this modern version. In conclusion, throughout The Great Campaign, the honor afforded women within Central Asian nomadic culture emerges. For, since it is such a beloved tale of the Central Asian peoples, it is clear that not only historically, but also currently, women are viewed as highly capable peers, worthy of respect. This equality and blurring of gender roles is

© NELC remarkable and telling in terms of the Tapestry depicting a scene from the Manas. extent of their acceptance of the Islamic worldview. Trumping any religious taboos, the value of a capable woman is graciousness, physical beauty, style and they must present their story within a indubitable within this text. And indeed even pleasant fragrance are lauded by paradigm the audience understands. And verse after verse lauds the women for the men. in order to move and inspire the audience, everything from their skilled craftsman- the storyteller must draw upon shared As remarkable and as esteemed as these ship, to the passion of their souls. In values and goals. Therefore, in a work women are in the eyes of the men, there these ways the women of the Manas such as the Manas, we can glean an under- is one woman who stands out from the prove to be of great worth and the men standing of the cultural values as well as rest. Indeed, she stands out even from duly honor them. ◆ the aspects of life they found meaningful. amongst the men. She is Manas’ wife, It is said that the Manas includes Kanikei. As the men prepare for war, one Carrie Dyk is a graduate student in the information on all areas of thought and comes to Manas suggesting that although Russian, East European and Central Asian life and represents the Central Asian Studies Department at the University of there are 40 men of great honor, all rulers nomadic knowledge and philosophy Washington. She spent two years living in of their own lands, yet they need to gain about every genre. I do not doubt this to Uzbekistan, an experience which inspired her the blessing of one who is “so worthy of be true as stories are means of both to learn more about Central Asian literature. you, / Daughter of a Khan too, / Most reflecting and teaching a society a She plans to graduate in June 2006 and artistic in every way, / Daughter of Kara- hopes to either return to Uzbekistan or 17 paradigm by which to see the world. Khan Kanikei.” Throughout the tale pursue a degree in Comparative Literature. Manas listens carefully to what she has to The Manas is an ancient epic poem that say and acknowledges that, “before others has taken on its current form as it has 18 she stands out.” Thus, from the lips of evolved over generations — a natural 1 Translation by Walter May, 1999. the greatest hero in Central Asian process and part of the oral epic tradition. 2 1054. nomadic lore comes praise of an out- This piece of art is a tapestry of genera- 3 Traditional Kyrgyz hats. standing woman. tions with layers of traditions reflecting a 4 3343-5. people with a history and a future. Still, Perhaps these examples of verbal affir- 5 3969-70. this layering can cause problems as we mation sprang forth from the culture of 6 4024-6. seek to interpret the Manas. Looking oral composition. For the nomadic 7 4022. again at history, more recently the Central peoples of Central Asia, their artistic 8 4028. Asian Turkic lands were conquered by treasures were carried in the form of epic 9 4058-9. the Russians and incorporated into the songs in their minds, rather than golden 10 14546-7. USSR at which point the urban popula- objects in their saddle bags. And so the 11 2578-81. tion in particular was Russified. More- 12 3298. gift of words of praise are a fitting over, this translation of the Manas was 13 403. treasure for a Central Asian nomadic man printed in 1999, just 8 years after inde- 14 3312. to bestow upon the woman he loves. pendence for the Central Asian states. 15 3416. In telling a story, an author, or in this case Both of these periods witnessed major 16 3261-72. an epic singer, must make a decision changes in Central Asian nomadic culture, 17 3211-4. about what to tell and what not to tell, including in the former a shift to Russian 18 3810.

21 ELLISON CENTER Visiting REECAS Scholars BY CARRIE DYK

Leonid Anisimov Back by popular demand, Leonid An Honored Artist of Russia, Leonid became a master of the Anisimov is in Seattle to share his pas- Stanislavski System through his training at the Academy of sion for and mastery of the Stanislavski Fine Arts in Chelyabinsk and Yekaterinburg and then at System of acting with UW drama the Moscow Art Institute. In addition to sharing his skills with students. As a visiting scholar and guest actors around the world and serving as artistic director for professor, Leonid is also directing Anton theaters in Tokyo, Vladivostok and Seattle, he is also the Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard and co-founder and Director General of the Foundation for the teaching classes for local actors through International Stanislavski Institute. the Art Theatre of Puget Sound where As artistic Director of the Vladivostok Chamber Drama Theatre, he is also artistic director. Leonid brought his company to Seattle in 1995 and 1998 where © ELLISON CENTER Drawing on over 25 years of experience they performed Chekhov’s The Seagull and Maxim Gorky’s with the Stanislavski System, Leonid teaches his students to Lower Depths to rave reviews. He also directed Seattle actors in recreate and relive their characters on-stage. His goal during his a production of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya. time at the UW is “to show [the students] the road,” if not Leonid assured me he feels at home here in Seattle thanks to its all the intricacies of the technique, as the full Stanislavski system resemblance to Vladivostok and the company of his colleagues cannot be taught in a mere 8 months. and “brothers” Professors Mark Jenkins and Bart Smits.

Didar Kassymova Kazakh scholar Didar Kassymova was ment of History in 1986. Her academic interest is primarily awarded a Fulbright for the 2005–06 focused on international relations, particularly how domestic academic year. A senior lecturer at the policy in the US affects foreign policy. Since Kazakhstan has Suleiman Demirel University in Almaty, only one party in power, she is interested to see how decisions Mrs. Kassymova are made in a multiparty system. Questions of how and where is conducting research on the develop- the government allocates funds and how to predict future ment of a security system in Central spending are also of interest to her. Asia and the impact the US has upon its This is Didar’s first visit to the US and she will stay for 9 months. development. Her research here focuses Didar’s presence at UW provides the students and faculty at on nuclear non-proliferation and arms

© ELLISON CENTER the Jackson School with an up-to-date glimpse of Central control and is supervised by Professor Asian perspectives on security while she researches the US Christopher Jones and Ambassador Thomas Graham. view of current Central Asian geopolitics. Upon her return to Didar received her BA from the S.M. Kirov Kazakh State Kazakhstan, Didar intends to begin a new security project University in Almaty and her graduate degree from the Depart- concerning Central Asia.

Dilshod Rasulov Dilshod Rasulov visited the University Dilshod received his undergraduate education at the Arabic of Washington from June 5–August 12, Department at the Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies 2005 through the Title Five Comparative and went on to complete his PhD at Al’Beruni Institute of Religion grant. In addition to improving Oriental Studies at the Academy of Sciences, also in Tashkent. his English skills so as to gain access to He is currently the Academic Secretary at the Al’Beruni a wider breadth of religious materials, Institute and is finishing a book about Bukhara. His areas of Dilshod conducted research on the interest include Arabic studies, philology and history. His Mangit Dynasty. The Mangits ruled the recent publications include: “Fiqh and Kalam in the Works of Khanate of Bukhara just before the the Classification of Sciences in the 10th Century,” “Abu Ali ibn Tsarist invasion in the 1860s. It was the Sina’s Method of Approach to the Classification of Sciences” © ELLISON CENTER Mangit’s attempt to reinstate sharia law and “From the History of Moral and Legislative Principles of that attracted Dilshod’s interest. This also happens to be one of Islam” to name a few. the least studied periods in Central Asian history.

22 REECAS NEWSLETTER

Saidjamol Masayitov Saidjamol Masayitov is another scholar particularly Islam, in 1991 when he was selected by the minister from Tashkent who came under the of higher education to study in Saudi Arabia at the Islamic Title Five grant to promote religious University of Medina. There he specialized in Islamic Law and studies in Uzbekistan. He came to upon completion of his degree in 1997, returned to Tashkent to Seattle in order to create new textbooks teach at the Tashkent Islamic Institute. The following year he for Uzbek undergraduate students was appointed head of the Koranic Studies Department. on the topic of comparative religion. Expanding his understanding of other religions besides Islam, In order to develop this material, his Saidjamol was awarded the position of senior teacher in the time at UW was spent learning peda- Department of Religious Studies at the Islamic Institute in gogical skills, particularly for teaching 2002. He is currently head of the Religious Sciences Department.

© ELLISON CENTER comparative religion, as well as improv- Saidjamol’s academic interests include general Islamic law, the ing his English. Hanafite school of law and the history of Islam. This trip has Saidjamol has published numerous handbooks about religion to also allowed Saidjamol to explore his interest in Islamic law compliment his courses and to contribute to the general public’s and particularly the work of Ali Bazdawi. Upon his arrival here, understanding including textbooks on Islamic History for 7th he found a number of Bazdawi’s works at Suzallo Graduate and 8th graders as well as a textbook for undergraduates on Library and he hopes to translate one of the more important Islamic Law. He began to develop his knowledge of religion, works from Arabic to Uzbek in the future.

Nodira Makhkamova The Title Five grant to promote religious Nodira graduated from Tashkent State University’s History studies education in Uzbekistan also Faculty in 1989. She began her postgraduate work one year allowed for Nodira Makhkamova to later and upon defending her dissertation in 1995, entered the come to UW for research and training. Institute of History in the Academy of Sciences as a research Her home institution, the Institute of fellow. In 1999 she began her doctorate courses and is currently History, is responsible for producing a researching the social stratification of Uzbek society from the monograph and textbook entitled, “The end of the 19th Century through the 1930s. Of particular Religious and Cultural History of interest to Nodira, is the Soviet historiography of Islam during Uzbekistan.” Nodira will be contribut- the colonial and early Soviet period. She is now head of the ing two chapters to the latter work, “The Department of Historiography at the Institute of History and © ELLISON CENTER Role of Islam in the Civil Society of also a Senior Research Fellow. Nodira has more than 25 Uzbekistan at the End of the 19th Century to the Beginning of publications in both Uzbek and International journals. the 20th Century” and “Politics of Soviet Power Towards Islam In addition to finding material for the publication of the from the Beginning of the Soviet Era Until 1927.” In order to monograph and textbook, Nodira was able to learn new accomplish this task, Nodira came to UW to do research, attend teaching methodology and broaden her academic network lectures and improve her English. She also took part in the while a visiting scholar at UW. Regional Northwest Conference, the Nicholas Poppe Symposium and the UW Central Asian Circle.

Ravshan Rakhatjanov Through the Title Five grant, Ravshan Ravshan received his BA and MA from Tashkent State University, Rakhatjanov visited the UW from May now known as Uzbekistan’s National University, in 1993. His 15–August 13, 2005. Ravshan’s goal was current research is focused on Islam in the Soviet period and to improve his language skills in order he teaches about the history of Uzbekistan at Tashkent State to have access to greater teaching Islamic University. Only 6 years old, this university offers both materials in English, as well as study undergraduate and graduate level classes. One of the goals of teaching methodology and Buddhism the University is, “to analyze the role of Islam in the history of with Richard Soloman. In addition, he world civilizations defining the status of Islam among other did research at Suzallo Graduate Library religions of the world, and investigating the ideas, laws and to collect information for use in his developmental trends of Islam from both theoretical and © ELLISON CENTER classes in Uzbekistan. practical points of view.” Hence his grant work will be of vital interest to his university.

23 UPCOMING ELLISON CENTER EVENTS

DECEMBER 1: Ellison Center Speaker Series FEBRUARY 1: Film and Discussion Series – REECAS, Western “Empire and Inclusion: Law, Rights and Difference in Late Imperial Europe and East Asia Regions Russia.” Dr. Jane Burbank, Professor of History and Russian and Following each film, a professor will lead a discussion about the film Slavic Studies, Columbia University. Thomson Room 317, 1:30pm. and provide political and cultural context. Films are held in con- junction with Shoreline Community College at their campus in Shoreline on Tuesdays at 7:00pm. DECEMBER 5: Ellison Center Speaker Series Economist Dr. Leon Podkaminer, The Vienna Institute for Interna- tional Economic Studies and Dr. Jan Monkiewicz, Professor of APRIL 29: 12th Annual REECAS-NW Conference at UW-Tacoma Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, will deliver lectures on “Occupation and Revolution in Eurasia’s Borderlands.” “The New EU Member States: Recent Economic Performance and From 9:00 am–6:00pm. See page 2 for more information. Longer-term Growth Prospects” and “Issues in Effective Insurance Regulation and Supervision in Emerging Markets: The Polish Case” MAY 1: The Donald Treadgold Memorial Lecture respectively. Parrington Hall Commons, Room 308, 3:30pm. “Occupations in Borderlands: Russian and German Policies in Ukraine, 1914–1918.” Dr. Mark von Hagen, Boris Bakhmeteff DECEMBER 8: Ellison Center Speaker Series Professor of Russian Studies, Professor of History, Columbia Dr. Thomas Venclova, Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures University. Parrington Hall Commons, Room 308, 3:30pm. at Yale University will read and discuss poetry from his book, Winter A reception will follow. Dialogue. Smith Hall, Room 105, 1:30–3:20pm. He will give an evening lecture in Parrington Hall Forum, Room 309, 7:00pm. MAY 10: Jackson School–Extensions Program Series: Hot Spots in Our World DECEMBER 6: Master Teacher Workshop “When is Democracy a Threat to Stability? Central Asian Leaders This is the conclusion of a two-part workshop on the Social Argue Their Case” Charles F. Carlson, Former Director of Central Implications of EU Enlargement. Husky Union Building, Room 200 Asian Services, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. See page 18 for A/B, 4:30–7:30pm. more information.

JANUARY 25: Ellison Center Speaker Series For more information on these and other events, go to the Ellison Dr. Andrew Janos Professor of the Graduate School and Emeritus of Center website: http://depts.washington.edu/reecas. Political Science, UC Berkeley will speak on “The Politics of Agriculture in Continental Europe: Capitalism, Socialism and the EU.” Parrington Hall Forum, Room 309, 3:30pm.

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