Book Talk with Tyler Kirk
The Kennan Institute at the Wilson Center is excited to host Tyler Kirk, a scholar of Russian history and post-Soviet memory, for a discussion on his latest book, After the Gulag: A History of Memory in Russia's Far North. Kirk’s talk will examine how survivors of Stalinist repression, as well as civil society members, worked to document and preserve the true history of Soviet atrocities as the USSR collapsed. His research sheds light on how local historians and communities in the Far North laid the groundwork for remembrance, even amid political suppression.
This conversation takes on new urgency given present-day Russia’s suppression of historical memory. With the 2021 forced closure of the International Memorial Society, Russia’s oldest civic and human rights organization, historians and activists face increasing challenges in preserving the stories of the past. Kirk’s talk will explore why these narratives of resilience and survival are now met with state resistance and why understanding this history is vital to understanding contemporary Russian society.
Don’t miss this timely and impactful talk on October 30 at 11:00 am AKST. Please be sure to to receive the webinar information. Tyler Kirk’s research offers valuable insights into the intersection of historical memory, civil society, and state power in Russia, helping us understand why the past is so critical to the present.
Ӱ the Kennan Institute
The Kennan Institute, a part of the Wilson Center, fosters deeper understanding of Russia and Eurasia by bringing together scholars, policy makers, and the public for critical discussions. Through research, events, and collaboration, the Institute promotes insights into the region’s history, politics, and social transformations, providing a valuable platform for dialogues on historical memory and its impact on current political realities. This event is part of their ongoing series aimed at fostering dialogue on critical issues affecting Russia and its neighbors.
As Tyler Kirk prepares to share his insights at the Kennan Institute’s event on October 30, he brings with him a rich background of recent engagements aimed at broadening public understanding of Russia’s memory politics. Beyond his upcoming talk, Kirk has recently contributed to a range of platforms to reach both academic and public audiences:
Eurasian Knot
Kirk was recently interviewed by Sean Guillory and Rusana Novikova on their podcast, The Eurasian Knot, one of the most popular platforms in his field, where he discussed the complexities of memory and repression in Russia’s Far North. This episode is available at and includes a .
Juneau World Affairs Council
On October 18-19, Kirk was a featured speaker at the Juneau World Affairs Council’s forum, “Political Authoritarianism on the Rise in the 21st Century.” The event, aired on Ӱ’s KTOO public TV, examined how authoritarian legacies shape contemporary politics. More information can be found at .
The Russian Review
Kirk’s expertise is further showcased in his recent essay, “What Was the Gulag? New Books on the History and Memory of Soviet Repressions,” published in The Russian Review. This critical piece engages with contemporary scholarship on Soviet repression and is available through .
Ӱ Tyler Kirk
Tyler Kirk, a former Title VIII Research Scholar, has conducted pioneering work on memory and history in post-Soviet Russia. His research provides a nuanced look at the impact of Stalinist repression on communities and sheds light on the civic and social efforts to preserve these histories against state suppression. Through the stories of Gulag survivors and their families, Kirk explores how the narratives of repression shape memory and identity in contemporary Russia, challenging the state-sponsored version of history.