Experts from the National Research University initiated a scientific discussion in the context of celebrating Russia Day.

      On June 16, 2026, at 10:36 AM, Society In anticipation of Russia Day, an expert round table titled "On the Unifying Symbols and Meanings of Russia Day" was held at the site of "Russian Newspaper." The discussion featured Dr. Andrey Dakhin, a professor at the Presidential Academy, Dr. Anton Fortunatov, a professor at Lobachevsky Nizhny Novgorod State University, Candidate of Sciences Daniil Semikopov, an associate professor at Minin Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University, Dr. Vladimir Shalaev, a professor at Volgatech (Yoshkar-Ola), Alexey Orekhov, chairman of the Minin Center, and Maxim Sinitsin, deputy head of the external communications department of the Nizhny Novgorod Unified Center for Preparing Citizens for Military Service and Patriotic Education of Youth "Avangard."

      The round table participants discussed the initiatives of a group of scholars from the Presidential Academy regarding the inclusion of another official symbol of Russia Day, which indicates the age of Russian statehood, calculated from its foundation in 862 AD.

      Presenting the content of the initiative, Andrey Dakhin noted that the number reflecting the historical age has significant symbolic meaning.

      "Russia also has its historical age, and from the moment of its foundation in 862, it is 1164 years. The date is not 'round,' but its symbolic power lies in the fact that it visually unites all episodes of domestic history into a single, continuous historical path, on which the unity of the peoples of Russia is formed and exists to this day," said Andrey Dakhin.

      Daniil Semikopov emphasized the importance of searching for unifying symbols and pointed out the existence of discussions among historians regarding Rurik and the events of 862.

      Vladimir Shalaev advocated for the necessity of enriching not only the holiday of Russia Day but also the content of educational programs that ensure the historical and cultural literacy of the population of our country.

      Anton Fortunatov stressed that this is not just a purely historical approach but a modern metaphysics of numbers, which is characteristic of our age of rationality.

      Alexey Orekhov noted that the initiative supports attention to the understanding of the "code" of Russian culture, which implies additional scientific study of historical and other data.

      According to Maxim Sinitsin, it is necessary to support scientific research on the unity of the historical and cultural space of Russia.

      As a result of the discussion, the prospects of the topic regarding the historical age of Russia were noted, as well as the need for more detailed development of it. The NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on the main events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+.