Tamara Eidelman — historian, writer, educator, and creator of a popular YouTube channel with over 1.5 million subscribers — will give a lecture titled "How Nations Emerge and Disappear" on March 9 at 7:00 PM in Palo Alto.
A few centuries ago, people did not define themselves by nationality but by their faith, their city, or the lord they served. In ancient Greece, Athenians and Spartans spoke the same language yet did not consider themselves “one people.” In the Middle Ages, students could freely travel across Europe — for them, the unity of scholars mattered more than place of origin.
It was only in the second half of the 18th century, when nation-states were already taking shape, that the idea of a “national spirit” emerged. In the 19th century, nationalism seemed like a movement of liberation, but soon turned into an ideology of superiority and chauvinism. The 20th century showed what belief in “titular” nations and “natural” borders can lead to.
Today, historians still debate what a nation is — biology, a social construct, or a political tool? This lecture is an attempt to understand where the idea of the nation came from and why the myth of “brotherly peoples” remains so resilient.
The lecture will be held in Russian. After the lecture, attendees will have the opportunity to ask Tamara Eidelman questions.
The lecture will take place in Palo Alto on March 9 at 7:00 PM in the Oshman Family JCC.
The doors will open at 6:30 PM.
Oshman Family JCC • 3921 Fabian Way, 94303 Palo Alto, CA
