Lev Platonovich Karsavin (1882–1952), a follower of Vladimir Solovyov’s metaphysics of unity, was a prominent Russian religious philosopher, Eurasianist, and personalist. His Lithuanian period represents a little-studied stage in his intellectual evolution, one rich in theoretical and historical-philosophical significance. During this period, the philosopher worked at Kaunas University (1928–1940) and later at Vilnius University, until his forced repatriation to Russia in 1949.

During this time his books On Personality (1929) and Poem about Death (1931) were published in Russian, while Istorijos teorija (“Theory of History”, 1929) and the multi-volume work Europos kultūros istorija (“History of European Culture”, 1931–1937) were also published in Lithuanian, along with numerous articles. Karsavin’s life and ideas, especially his philosophical journey in Lithuania, can serve as an example of perseverance, creative exploration, and of respect for the dignity of individuals and peoples – all within the difficult context of Russian-Lithuanian relations in the 20th and 21st centuries. This remains particularly relevant in our time.

March 1‒2, 2024

 

Vilnius, Trimitų St. 6-39, NGO “Dialogues of Cultures” (Lithuania)

 

• Faculty of Philosophy of the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow
• Non-Governmental Organization “Dialogues of Cultures” in Vilnius
• Northwestern University Research Initiative for the Study of Russian Philosophy and Religious Thought

• “Studies in East European Thought” (SEET)

• Aleksandra Berdnikova (University of Turin, Italy)