On May 23 there were opened the international research conference on Semyon Frank’s Works regarding Russian and European Cultures and the All-Russian Young Scholar School on Intelligent Development of Semyon Frank’s Works. The event is organised by the SSU Institute of Philology and Journalism and the SSU Faculty of Philosophy, Saratov Metropolia of the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Live Here! Regional Public Organisation on Promoting Development of Civic Society.

The research events are held within the Frank’s House in Saratov project, which, in its turn, is implemented due to the President of the Russian Federation Grant on Development of Civic Society given by the Presidential Grants Foundation.

The Plenary Session was attended by not only members of academic staff and students, but Semyon Frank’s descendants. Welcoming the event members and guests Chair of the Programme Committee, Professor of the SSU Department of Russian and World Literatures Aleksei A. Gaponenkov reminded that it was the third conference devoted to Semyon Frank, and that a few books about the philosopher had already been published.

Also a welcoming speech was given by Head of Priority Projects and Programmes Elena G. Yelina.

‘For us Semyon Frank is not only a famous Russian philosopher, philologist, and a religious culture public figure. Some members of his family are closely connected with Saratov University. I can’t help but surprise how up-to-date Frank’s works are. He wrote many books in different spheres. When I prepared my speech, I re-read his article on nihilism and intelligentsia, and if it appears today on any web-site, our intelligentsia will think it is a modern article. Semyon Frank is not only a philosopher, but a great writer.’

Professor of the SSU Faculty of Philosophy, Chair of the Saratov Division of the Russian Philosophical Society Vladimir B. Ustyantsev told the audience that in 2003 the Semyon Frank Philosophical Society was founded in Saratov University. Conferences are held and researchers publish articles within that project within that project. Also there is a lecture room in SSU named after the first dean of the Faculty of History and Philology.

‘Everyone can become a part of Frank’s philosophical universe,’ added Vladimir Ustyantsev.

‘I would like to read out loud an abstract from the famous diary of young Frank, the book which was restored in spite of various difficulties and then found in the library of the SSU academic staff,’ addressed the event members Scientific Advisor of the Institute of Philology and Journalism, Professor Valerii V. Prozorov.

At the end of his speech the professor reminded about marvellous researchers, pedagogues, and philologists who saved Frank’s works for descendants.

One of Semyon Frank’s grandsons, a religious public figure of the Russian expatriate community Father Peter Skorer spoke on behalf of the family of the great philosopher’s family. He shared his memories of the grandfather and the atmosphere at home.

‘I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. Here I can see the people who have devoted a big part of their lives to my grandfather’s works. I can see his relatives and descendants who have come from different countries,’ marked Father Peter Skorer.

At the end of his speech the guest read out loud a poem of Semyon Frank.

After that the audience listened to reports dedicated to the philosopher. Professor Aleskei A. Gaponenkov delivered a report, entitled ‘Semyon Frank and Vasily Seseman: Meetings in Saratov and Abroad.’ The professor told the conference members about the lives of researchers who worked with Frank in Saratov and abroad and commented on their mutual projects. Frank and Seseman were friends till the death of the first dean of the SSU Faculty of History and Philology. Besides, Aleksei Gaponenkov spoke about Vasily Seseman’s biography and the circumstances influenced him as a researcher.

Professor of Poltava National Technical Yuri Kondratyuk University Gennadii Ye. Alyayev presented a report ‘Early Years of Frank: Comments on Stages of Philosopher’s Biography’. The professor said that he has been reviewing the philosopher’s collected works. Also Genadii Alyayev spoke about first works of Semyon Frank and the beginning of his research career.

Professor of St.Tikhon's Orthodox University Konstantin M. Antonov delivered his report “Semyon Frank’s Works Written in 1905-1906 and the Political Platform of the Conservative part of the Constitutional Democratic Party”. The professor also commented on the early years of the philosopher’s career and first Frank’s works.

The last reporter was Research Fellow of the Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Alexander S. Tsygankov. His report, entitled “Semyon Frank and Russian Scientific Institute in Berlin: the Philosopher and the Historical Background”, is dedicated to Frank’s work at Russian Scientific Institute and the history of the institute itself.