The XVI Astakhov Readings Took Place
On October 24, 2024, the XVI Astakhov Readings scientific conference, titled “Current Issues in Historiography and Source Studies (on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Department of Historiography, Source Studies, and Archaeology),” was held. This conference concluded a series of events dedicated to the anniversary of the oldest theoretical-methodological history department in Ukraine.
As per tradition, on the day of the conference, the head of the department, Professor S.I.Posokhov, laid flowers at the grave of the department's founder, Professor V.I.Astakhov.
The XVI Astakhov Readings were held in a hybrid format. Participants in Kharkiv gathered at the Karazin University Archaeological Museum, while colleagues and guests from other cities in Ukraine and abroad joined via video conferencing.
The ceremonial opening of the conference featured remarks from Vice-Rector for Research and Teaching at V.N.Karazin Kharkiv National University, Prof. O.M.Holovko, and the Dean of the Faculty of History, Assoc. Prof. S.D.Lytovchenko. Welcoming addresses were given by Prof. K.V.Astakhova, Rector of Kharkiv Humanitarian University "NUA," one of the department's first lecturers, Assoc. Prof. M.Z.Berduta, Prof. O.A.Udod, Head of the Department of Ukrainian Historiography at the Institute of History of Ukraine, NAS of Ukraine, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine, Prof. R.V.Mankovska, Director of the Center for Research on Historical and Cultural Heritage of Ukraine at the Institute of History of Ukraine, NAS of Ukraine, and V.M.Okatenko, Deputy Director of the Research Center "Rescue Archaeological Service of Ukraine" at the Institute of Archaeology, NAS of Ukraine. Greetings were also received from the Central State Scientific and Technical Archive of Ukraine, the Central State Historical Archive of Ukraine, Hryhorii Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University, and the Kharkiv Historical Museum, delivered by the department’s alumni who now work in these institutions. Additional greetings were extended by faculty colleagues and alumni. A welcoming address was also given by Prof. A.Horak of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw (Poland), with whom the department maintains fruitful academic relations.
The head of the department, Prof. S.I.Posokhov, delivered a keynote speech titled "Sixty Years of the Department of Historiography, Source Studies, and Archaeology at V.N.Karazin Kharkiv National University," and Prof. O.A.Udod presented a talk titled "Ukrainian Historical Scholarship in the Context of War: Theoretical, Methodological, Historiographical, and Didactic Aspects."
The conference continued in five sections: “History of the Department,” “Historiography,” “Source Studies,” “Archaeology,” and “Heritage and War.” During the sessions, new publications prepared by the department’s staff were presented.
The XVI Astakhov Readings, held under the difficult conditions of a front-line city during wartime, once again demonstrated the department's high scientific potential and its extensive professional connections with both Ukrainian and international colleagues, which ensure the department's continued growth.
