II International research and practical conference “Cossack Expatriate Community 1917-2017: Century lessons” was held in the Cultural Educational Center in the French capital, Russian Witness website reports. According to historians’ estimations, about 200 thousand White army men emigrated from Russia to France after tragic events of the beginning of the 20th century. Out of all emigrated Cossacks, 36% of them settled in France after the revolution.
Members of Russian Cossacks’ delegation from Astrakhan Region participated in the conference. Vice-governor Konstantin Markelov was the head of the delegation. Politicians, scientists, professors, public men and cultural workers were present as well.
The main topic of the conference was forced migration of Cossack community members after the Russian Revolution of 1917, their social status in the modern world and summarizing of historical and moral events that happened over one century.
The conference participants remarked that Cossack communities can be found all over the world: in Europe, America, Australia. The main goal of these alliances is to preserve cultural heritage connected to Russia and restore lost relations between Russian and Western Cossacks.
Leader of All-Cossack Alliance of Czech lands and Slovakia Cossack Colonel Mikhail Dzyuba underlined that people abroad strive to guard their culture and traditions. “Without the past, there is no future”, he said.
Russkiy Mir
