On November 28, 2025, the Institute of Philosophy, Political Science, and Religious Studies (IPhPR) hosted a scientific seminar organized by the Center for Comparative Political Studies on the topic:
“Past Repressions, Present Solidarity: Mnemonic Possibilities in Eastern Europe.” The seminar was moderated by the Center’s director, Aidar Amrebaev.

The main speaker was Isabel DeSisto (Princeton University, USA), a researcher in comparative politics of Eastern Europe and the post-Soviet space. Her research focuses on repression, propaganda, and educational policy, particularly within authoritarian regimes. I. DeSisto holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and a Master’s degree in Regional Studies (Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia) from Harvard University, as well as a Master’s in Politics and International Studies from Cambridge University.

In her presentation, she analyzed the historical experience of Soviet repressions, emphasizing their scale and systemic nature, particularly before 1953. Special attention was given to the relationship between repressive practices and political participation, as well as how collective memory of past repression affects contemporary forms of civic mobilization.

I. DeSisto introduced the concept of mnemonic possibilities—moments when the past becomes especially significant and capable of mobilizing society. Drawing on the idea of “thickened history” (Beissinger, 2002), she demonstrated that historical heritage is dynamic and can be “activated” under conditions of political and social change.

Seminar participants discussed the presented materials, noting the relevance of this research for understanding contemporary political processes in Eastern Europe and the post-Soviet region.