Vadim Petrovich Shakherov,
Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, Baikal State University, Irkutsk, Russia, e‑mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
“Bringing the Facts to Light” (Some Reflections on Participation in the Editorial Board of the “Polyarnaya Zvezda” Series)
DOI: 10.31518/2618-9100-2025-6-12
The article is devoted to participation in the editorial board of the “Polyarnaya Zvezda” series. It discusses its role and significance for the development of the study of the Decembrist movement, especially during the period of Siberian exile. Recalling the preparation of the two-volume work by the decembrist V.I. Shteyngel, the author describes the process of identifying and collecting materials, and shares his impressions about his co-author N.V. Zeifman and the executive editor S.V. Zhitomirskaya. Much attention is paid to the influence of the Decembrist’s work on the development of scientific potential and the identification of key research areas. V.I. Shteyngel’s journalism and scientific views greatly influenced the author’s interest in the history of the economic development of the Siberian region, the formation of Russian America, and the participation of the regional merchant class in these processes. It is noted that the history of the formation of the Decembrist series requires independent scientific study, in which the memoirs and assessments of the direct participants can play a significant role. The article provides information about the editorial team’s work in preparing the volumes of the series, as well as the characteristics of the leaders and members of the editorial board, particularly the Irkutsk section. In conclusion, the article includes letters from N.V. Zeifman to the author, which provide various comments and current information about the process of compiling and preparing the two‑volume edition. They also allow us to present their author as an experienced archivist and Decembrist scholar, for whom the preparation of V.I. Shteyngel’s materials was a significant milestone in her scientific career.
Publishing: 28/12/2025
The article has been received by the editor on 31/08/2025
How to cite: Shakherov V.P. “Bringing the Facts to Light” (Some Reflections on Participation in the Editorial Board of the “Polyarnaya Zvezda” Series) // Historical Courier, 2025, No. 6 (44), pp. 176−189. [Available online: http://istkurier.ru/data/2025/ISTKURIER-2025-6-12.pdf]
Links: Issue 6 2025
Keywords: Decembrists in Siberia; Irkutsk; source materials; the “Polyarnaya Zvezda” series; V.P. Shteyngel; editorial board