The past and present of Arabic language, literature, and culture in Russia

This research examines the historical origins, developmental processes, and current state of Arab studies in Russia through an interdisciplinary approach. The study focuses on the influence of the Arabic language, literature, and culture on Russian territory, how these influences evolved into an academic discipline, and the transformations this discipline has undergone within a historical context. The primary aim of the study is to trace the chronological development of Arab studies in Russia, assess its scientific achievements, and evaluate its reflections in educational institutions. The thesis consists of an introduction and three main chapters. The first chapter defines the term Arab studies and analyzes the cultural interactions between Russia and the Arab world from the earliest contacts up to the early 19th century. Within this scope, early Arab studies scholarship is examined through historical documents, travelogues, translations, and polemical literature. The second chapter explores the institutionalization of Arab studies in Russia during the 19th and 20th centuries, the compilation of the first Arabic-Russian dictionaries, the contributions of prominent Russian Orientalists, and academic publishing activities. The third chapter focuses on the current state of Arabic language instruction in Russia. Arabic programs offered by leading higher education institutions such as the National Research University Higher School of Economics and Kazan Federal University are analyzed comparatively. This study not only reveals the depth of the Arab studies heritage in Russia but also contributes to a better understanding of the cultural relations between Russia and the Arab world. Furthermore, it aims to serve as a significant reference source for understanding the historical foundation of today's multifaceted international cooperation.