Congratulations from the Royal Scottish Geographical Society

(Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society) Здравствуйте! My name is Mike Robinson – I’m the Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society based here in Perth. And I’m delighted to be able to celebrate Geographers’ Day here with you in this way. And to send you our congratulations on your 175th Anniversary. We believe Geography remains one of the most critical topics of the modern world, and it is fantastic that this has been recognised at the highest level in Russia.

(Iain Stewart, President of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society)  Geography connects peoples and unites disciplines to help solve many of the world’s most pressing concerns: from climate change and food security, to urban design and even the current pandemic. As the need for joinedup geographical thinking increases, we are committed to developing relationships with a variety of partners, nationally and internationally. We believe that this is vital in bringing about positive solutions to contemporary geographical issues. And the establishment of a special day for Geographers is a wonderful way to underline this. We are also pleased to be strengthening our ties with you at the Russian Geographical Society this special year, and to celebrate our deep and enduring connections. It is fitting that both nations share the same saint, St Andrew. But more than that, important advances in geographical knowledge by Russians in the past were assisted by Scots sailors in the Russian Navy, and by help from Scottish natural philosophers and cartographers, especially in the pioneering Russian circumnavigation of the globe under Krusenstern.

(Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society )  We are pleased to be working closely with you at the Russian Geographical Society on the upcoming edition of our magazine, The Geographer. This will showcase many of the wonderful natural parks and wildlife of the Russian Federation, and is set to explore topics such as indigenous people, and rare species and conservation in Russia, plus other inspiring geographical contributions from guests from around the world. In this publication, we also hope to touch on some of the connections shared between our two historical Societies. Perhaps unsurprisingly these stretch back many decades. Of particular note is Yuly Schokalsky, the renowned Oceanographer: a medallist of ours, he received our Research Medal in 1931 on his retirement from the Russian Geographical Society as your President. His first article appeared in our Journal 106 years ago, and he’s written for us several times.

(Iain Stewart, President of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society) There are, in the present day, many similar activities by both of our Societies in advancing Geography. More recently, in 2014, our Society helped re-establish the honorary role of Geographer Royal for Scotland as an important figurehead for our subject. For that reason, we especially welcome the establishment of a similar role in your honorary title of The Distinguished Geographer of the Russian Federation in December 2019 by a corresponding decree of the President of Russia.

(Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society ) I hope we can build these links much further over the next few months and years. In the meantime, I wish you all the best for your 175th Anniversary, and a very happy Geographers’ Day. До свидания! To our friendship: За нашу дружбy!