Baikal State University hosted the presentation of the book "History of Ust-Ordyn Buryat District", prepared by the author's team under the editorship of Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Lev Dameshek, which was published by BSU Publishing House.

The book covers the whole period of the history of the Ust-Ordyn Buryat District from ancient times to the present. The publication is compiled on the basis of new archive materials and other information. It provides a whole concept of the significance of the integration of Western Buryatia into Russia and the historical fates of the peoples of the region as part of the Russian state.

According to the author of the book, Professor Lev Dameshek, this work was a follow-up and update of the first edition, which was published in 1995 in the Publishing House "Progress" with a total circulation of more than 10,000 copies. Only the section prepared by prominent Siberian scientist, historian and archaeologist Vladimir Svinin remained untouched. Dameshek himself, along with Svinin, visited archaeological excavations on the territory of the district more than once. All other materials have been significantly updated. Separate chapters are devoted to the development of the district in the post-Soviet, transitional period and touch upon the events that led to a change in its legal status - the delimitation of powers between the Russian Federation, the Irkutsk Oblast and the Ust-Ordyn Buryat Autonomous District. For the first time it analyzes the transformation of social and political life, the process of the unification referendum, and how the position of the Irkutsk Oblast and the Ust-Ordyn Buryat Autonomous District affected the development of the economy, agriculture and socio-cultural sphere.

A special chapter is devoted to the history of the district during the Civil War and the Second World War, collectivization processes.

The edition has a large number of illustrations. The legal component of the book was prepared by the rector of Baikal State University, Professor Viktor Ignatenko.

"Our university has done a tremendous amount of work. I would like to particularly mention the creative team of our publishing house. As requests and orders, we will increase the circulation of this book. We also plan to hold a presentation of the edition in Ust-Orda. On this occasion we will organize a real celebration for the residents of the district. Students from the BSU Center of Creativity will perform a concert for them," said BSU Rector Viktor Ignatenko.

"The native population of Siberia was never deprived of land during the development of territories. The national provinces have always supported the empire. Western Buryats saw their salvation in settlements. However, much later, during the governor-generalship of Muravyov-Amursky and his largely Russophile policy, the Buryats' lands were significantly reduced. And I've tried to capture that," says the author, professor Lev Dameshek.

Professor Sergey Bosholov thanked the authors. In his opinion, the book was a gift not only to science, but also to the entire Buryat people. This is a modern fundamental work, which contains not only a description, but also an explanation of many factors. The work benefits greatly from the fact that the phenomenon is described and pan-Mongolism is evaluated.

The informative appendix of the book has 18 qr codes, which, by clicking on them, can be used to access a number of documentaries about the region, its heroes, festivals and folklore groups.

At the presentation ceremony the president of the non-profit organization " The Foundation for Preservation of the Heritage and Development of the Legacy of the First Governor of the Irkutsk Region Yuri Nozhikov", a well-known Irkutsk politician, lawyer and public figure Yuri Kurin presented the rector of Baikal State University, Professor Viktor Ignatenko with Letters of Gratitude on behalf of the head of the region Igor Kobzev and the Chairman of the regional parliament Alexander Vedernikov for the activities to preserve the heritage and memory of Yuri Nozhikov, as well as for many years of work in the state authorities. Letters of Gratitude were awarded on the occasion of Yuri Abramovich's 90th birthday.