I propose to discuss the problem of understanding between the Soviet and Western researches of Siberia. Is there modern dialogue? Does modern Russian ethnography continue to be soviet which has discussion of ethnos and “ethnic history" (late 19 - early 20 cent.)?

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Для русскоязычных читателей и писателей :-)
Я предлагаю обсудить проблемы понимания между советскими и западными исследованиями Сибири. Есть ли возможность современного диалога? Является ли российская этнография Сибири советской, где все еще актуальны проблемы обсуждения этносов, «этнической истории» конца 19 – начала 20 веков?

И можно еще добавить. Как росскийские исследователи воспринимают иностранные работы и наоборот?
I assume that Dmitry is proposing a discussion in the realm of social-cultural anthropology. Anthropology is very close to history, but studies that STOP in the early 20th century - is this anthropology? My understanding of anthropology is that it concerns humans living TODAY in their cultural, social - and historical - context. So I find it difficult to take an anthropological interest in studies that cover a historical period and do not speak to the present circumstances of living human beings. It would be interesting to hear from Russian ethnographers about this.

I have to agree with Patty (because for me ethnohistory must have a foot in the door of the present), but as Dimitry's past work from Altai shows (and perhaps even more so his current work on ethnos), some contemporary Russian ethnography will (also) swim in traditionally western 'anthropological' waters. I am curious to see where other young Russian scholars will go with the 'ethnography vs. anthropology' debate, and to what extent anthropology will be fleshed out in Russia in the coming years. One provocative question I am being asked almost constantly by non-academic friends in Russia is "And what is the practical application/pay-off of this anthropological work?" None of my attempts to answer their questions seem to satisfy my friends. The response is always that in Russia there is no money for theoretical pursuits.      

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