Scientific Legacy and Personality of Professor G. N. Chagin

10.33876/2311-0546/2022-3/359-377

Abstract

The article analyzes the richest scientific legacy of the famous Russian historian-ethnographer Georgy N. Chagin, his contribution to the study of the history of the Perm Kama region, the Urals and adjacent territories. The venerable scientist introduced and interpreted new materials, which allowed him to study the mechanisms of interethnic interactions of the ancient and medieval population of the region, taking into account the structural and functional development of various artifacts. He described ethnic contacts in various social spheres: economy, craft, spiritual culture, and how these processes are shaped by traditional cultures. Publications of this outstanding scientist present in detail the stages of settlement and development of the Upper Kama lands from ancient times, cover the culture and life of the population of the Perm Kama region, and explore the complex topic of the christianization of Great Perm. Numerous works of Professor Chagin comprehensively tell the ethnocultural history of the Middle Urals, of the emergence and development of the cities of Great Perm, study the role of the natural environment, describe the cultural and everyday traditions of the peoples of the Perm region, the most complex stages of ethnocultural development, the culture and life of Russian peasants, the history of interethnic relations, ethnogenesis etc. All these issues maintain their importance nowadays, as sometimes they are being “exploited” for political gain. The article also provides examples of remarkable organizational abilities of the famous scientist in holding scientific conferences and highlights this outstanding researcher’s selfless service to science during the decades of his work, his love for his homeland, attentive and careful attitude to his colleagues and students.