The historical truth as a human right
On Arseny Roginsky’s life’s work
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Arseny Roginsky was passionately dedicated to searching for the historical truth in all its contradictions. Concerned that entire epochs might be lost through the manipulation and censorship that characterised Soviet historiography, he collected personal sources and oral accounts – oral history avant la lettre. He was constantly looking for new ways of collecting material. He was an “institution” far beyond Russia, but had no airs and graces. He was a harsh critic and also built stable, durable bridges. The historian Arseny Roginsky was a pioneer of enlightenment and reconciliation.
(Osteuropa 11-12/2017, pp. 5–11)