Eastern Vector of Russia in the Development of International Humanitarian Relations

Contemporary political events in the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Far Eastern region emphasize the relevance of scientific understanding of Russia’s historical experience in developing international humanitarian ties with the East. The purpose of the chapter is to analyze the reasons and conditions for the emergence in Russia of interest in the spiritual culture of the East. Attention is drawn to the fact that the political interests of the state contributed to the acceleration of the scientific development of geographical research related to the eastern territories. The significant contribution of the Russian Geographical Society to the systematization of knowledge about the East in the nineteenth century is noted. The great personal contribution to the study of the spiritual life of the East of the Russian Indologist and expert on Buddhism, S.F. Oldenburg, is emphasized. Thanks to the organizational efforts and scientific authority of this scientist, the Fairytale Commission created by him regularly initiated ethnographic studies of the spiritual life of the East and the publication of scientific materials. Attention is drawn to the painful transition in the study of the spiritual life of the East at the beginning of the Soviet period of history. Based on documentary sources, the forms and methods of studying the intangible cultural heritage of Eastern peoples and countries are determined. The results of the study convince us that in Russia in the first third of the twentieth century, the foundations were laid for the collection, study, and popularization of the spiritual cultural heritage of the East. The novelty of the study lies in the attempt to comprehensively analyze the efforts of the Russian state to develop humanitarian ties between Russia and the Eastern regions. The results of the study can be used for further study of the development of the Eastern vector in Russian politics.