Historical Competition: Call for Applications
MEMORIAL, A Person in History project invites students aged 16–19 from across Europe who are studying Russian as a foreign language to take part in a historical competition.
Finalists will have the opportunity to attend the Summer School in Armenia from August 5 to 13, 2025, together with Russian-speaking students.
Theme of the competition: “Cultural Resistance in Dictatorships of the 20th–21st Centuries”
In Soviet history, this phenomenon is often referred to as “unofficial” or “second” culture. Literature, visual arts, fashion, music — all of these could be subject to censorship under dictatorships and exist in parallel, in cultural underground spaces.
How to participate?
Fill out the form — answer a few questions about yourself, complete a task, and write an essay on the proposed topic.
Working languages: Russian, German, English
You can complete the form in any of these languages. Language proficiency and literacy will not be evaluated.
DeadlinesApplications are accepted until May 31, 2025, 19:00 CETResults will be announced on June 7, 2025
Criteria
The competition jury includes historians, publicists, and journalists from MEMORIAL. Submissions will be judged on the following criteria:
- Understanding of the theme — the phenomenon of cultural resistance under dictatorships;
- Ability to draw conclusions based on historical texts;
- Clarity, logic, and coherence of the writing
Prizes and awards
All authors of the submitted works will receive certificates of participation.
First place: Three authors of the best essays will be invited to attend the Summer School in Armenia (participation is fully funded)
Second place: Special gifts
Third place: An offer to publish the essay on the “Person in History” project website
Learn more about the project “Person in History” — on our Instagram (in Russian)!
We look forward to your applications!
