Maria Ponomareva at the National Centre RUSSIA on work on textbooks about Donbass and Novorossiya

The unity of Russia and its historical regions is reflected in the educational publications "History of Novorossiya", "Donbass, Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions in the Second World War: No Statute of Limitations" and the series of archival publications "No Statute of Limitations", devoted to the genocide of the Soviet people in the occupied territories during the Great Patriotic War. Maria Ponomareva, one of the co-authors, Doctor of Sciences in History and Deputy Head for Research at the National Centre for Historical Memory under the President of the Russian Federation, spoke about this at the National Centre RUSSIA during the "Time of Unity" forum dedicated to the Day of Reunification of the Historical Territories with the Russian Federation.

According to the expert, work on the educational publications allowed the large team of authors to trace numerous historical links demonstrating that Donbass and Novorossiya had been part of common state processes that unite us since ancient times.

"These were shared processes, beginning in ancient times and with the Great Migration of Peoples. Later, we always faced external challenges together, whether from the Goths, Huns, the Golden Horde, the Ottoman Empire, Poland, Lithuania or Nazi Germany. The history of this region is not simply a chronicle of events, but also a complex process through which a unique cultural and historical space was formed, a history of long-term ethnic and political interaction. These are regions where different cultures have always enriched one another. This is the quintessence of a shared cultural code that forms part of a common Russian political, social, national and cultural space," said Maria Ponomareva.

She added that shared historical memory is not only about facts, but also about values, continuity between generations and a particular worldview.

"One of the shared values that unites us is spirituality, as an integral part of a common cultural code. Spirituality is expressed in striving for higher ideals, in a shared understanding of the past, in selflessness and devotion to one's family and Motherland. We, the people of Russia, are united and selfless both in serving a common cause and in responding to external challenges. We have always been and continue to be united by shared values and a shared historical memory, regardless of which historical period we are discussing. It is important to emphasise the historical involvement of the peoples who inhabited Novorossiya in the process of building the Russian state," she concluded.

The educational forum "Time of Unity", organised by the Russian society Znanie, was held at the National Centre RUSSIA on 29 September. The event brought together students from Moscow universities and colleges, young professionals and civil servants. The forum was timed to coincide with the Day of Reunification of the Donetsk People's Republic, Lugansk People's Republic, Zaporozhye Region and Kherson Region with the Russian Federation.