The educational project «Russia and Oceania in the XIX-XXI centuries» relates to natural science and ethnographic investigations of Russian scientists and travelers in Oceania. It includes the organization and holding of exhibitions, video projections, lectures and it’s targeted to secondary-school-age and high-school-age students. The project targets the student’s mind broadening; it will describe to our younger generation about our compatriots’ achievements in the exploration of the South Seas region, about the Russian names of geographical objects in Oceania.

The study of the Russians’ contribution of Oceania studies, creates a sense of pride in the achievements of Russian science from the exploits of the famous Russian travelers and mariners such as N.N. Miklouho-Maclay, I.F.Kruzenshtern, F.F. Bellingshausen M.P. Lazarev and many others.

Geography of the project implementation for 2019-2020:

Russia: Moscow, Saint-Petersburg, Novgorod oblast and Leningrad oblast;
Papua New Guinea: Madang and Port Moresby.

See the exhibition “Russia and Oceania (XIX-XXI centuries)”

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Educational project “Russia and Oceania (XIX-XXI centuries)”.

The project is dedicated to the natural science and ethnographic research of Russian scientists and travelers in Oceania. It will be interesting to a wide audience interested in world and Russian history, geography, especially relevant for children of secondary and senior school age, could broaden the horizons. The exhibition you see, is designed to tell the younger generation about the achievements of our compatriots in the study of the Pacific region, about the Russian titles of geographical objects in Oceania. The exhibition will help to learn about the contribution to the study of Oceania, it will help to understand how much has been done by the Russian pioneers, what will certainly allow to be proud of the achievements of Russian science and the exploits of famous Russian travelers and seafarers: N.N. Miklouho-Maclay, I.F. Kruzenshtern, F.F. Bellingshausen, M.P. Lazarev, and many others. The exhibition shows the continuity in Russia’s study of the Pacific region, and, undoubtedly, it will contribute to the enthusiasm of secondary and high school students of serious study of the history of their country and traveling.

The project is being implemented by the Miklouho-Maclay Foundation for the Preservation of Ethnocultural Heritage with the support of the Presidential Grants Foundation and the project partners.

Massov Alexander Yakovlevich

Doctor of Historical Sciences, professor, head of the Saint-Petersburg Maritime Technical University History and Culturology Department.

Miklouho-Maclay Nickolay Nikolaevich

Descendant and namesake of the Great traveler. Leader of the research expeditions to Papua New Guinea 2017, 2019. Director of the Miklouho-Maclay Foundation, researcher, traveler, public figure, author of the popular science publication “Journey to the Maclay Coast” (2018).

Chininov Igor Viktorovich

Candidate of Historical Sciences, research fellow at the Asian and Pacific Studies Center of the Institute of Anthropology and Ethnography RAS.

Pale Sophia Evgenievna

Candidate of Historical Sciences, research fellow at the South-East Asia, Australia and Oceania Studies Center of the Institute of Oriental Studies RAS.

Prishchepov Alexander Vladimirovich

Descendant of I.F. Kruzenshtern, professor at the Geography Department of the University of Copenhagen, senior research fellow at the Kazan Federal University and the Ural Branch Steppe Institute RA

SYNOPSIS OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT «RUSSIA IN OCEANIA IN XIX-XXI CENTURIES»

Russia and the island world of Oceania have had strong historical and scientific ties for more than two centuries. Russian mariners of the XIX century, N.N. Miklouho-Maclay, soviet expeditions of the 1970’s and Russian expeditions in 2017 and 2019 have greatly contributed to the exploration of culture and traditions in all three historical-ethnographical areas of Oceania: Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. The results of their research are of great interest to the broadest possible audience, secondary-school-age and high-school-age pupils of general education and secondary schools, students and postgraduate students of higher education institutions, and for experts in history, ethnology, and physical anthropology. Moreover, detailed description of this domestic science historical milestone opens good prospects for involving new generation of young scientists in the process of further scientific exploration.
It should be noted that Russia has left its cultural mark among the indigenous peoples of Oceania. Some Bongu villagers are still transmitting across generations stories about outstanding Russian scientist and explorer N.N. Miklouho-Maclay who had become the central figure of their narrative folklore. The Bonguans have incorporated in their language some phonetically modified Russian words. Further developing of the Oceania region investigations will permit Russia broaden and strengthen scientific and cultural relations with the Oceanic world.
During the Russian expeditions of 2017 and 2019 to Papua New Guinea, the Papua New Guinean part had interest in developing their cooperation with Russia in various fields, including students exchanging and preparing collaborative social programs. Interaction between Russian and the South-Pacific countries is at a new stage of development.