At the "Inventing the Future" Symposium, Karin Kneissl spoke about the role of education and creativity
On November 4, as part of the International Symposium "Inventing the Future" at the National Centre RUSSIA grounds, a series of interviews commenced that will feature well-known politicians, scientists, and cultural figures over the course of three days.
The first speaker in this open dialogue format was Karin Kneissl, Head of the Geopolitical Observatory for Russia's Key Issues - G.O.R.K.I. Centre at St. Petersburg State University and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria (2017–2019). The interviewer was Semyon Mikhailovsky, a member of the Council for Culture and Arts under the President of the Russian Federation and Rector of the Ilya Repin St. Petersburg State Academy of Fine Arts. Topics of the interviews included art, history, education, and creativity.
"When it comes to intellectuals, I cannot name a single one currently living in Austria. I was a diplomat in my country, then an analyst. And I have always maintained mental independence — I never sold my soul to anyone. Let me present some harsh facts that might surprise Russians. About 70% of the government I was part of does not even have an education. They don’t have any diploma. They only graduated from school, and that’s it. But what is an intellectual? It seems to me that it is a person who thinks independently and calls a spade a spade. During the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all schools and universities in Germany and Austria were closed. And these intellectuals were precisely the ones advocating for schools to remain shut. If you support development and want to be seen as an independent person, you do not close schools," Karin Kneissl stated.
Karin Kneissl emphasized that she has worked honestly throughout her life.
"I always wanted to be able to look peacefully at my reflection in the mirror. Yes, many consider me original. People from Moscow come to my wooden house in the village, and they are astonished. Perhaps they expected something different. But this is my life. And for me, it is much more important than other things," Karin Kneissl stressed.
Mrs. Kneissl also shared with Semyon Mikhailovsky and session guests how she wrote her book "Requiem for Europe."
"When the book was ready, I asked where I could present it to readers. In which bookstore? And I was told that bookstores in Europe have disappeared. They are no longer there. There is a painting by Pieter Bruegel titled 'The Blind Leading the Blind' on the cover of my book. There have been many interpretations of this painting, including the need of mutual assistance. However, I am closer to the interpretation of folly — the blind leading the blind. It is sad. This book provided me with a certain framework, I felt a perspective. Europe, which I was grateful to in the past years, the Europe of culture, the Europe as it is imagined by many Russians — unfortunately, this Europe has died," Kneissl concluded.
The International Symposium "Inventing the Future" is being held from November 4 to 6. Participants include scientists, researchers, futurists, science fiction writers, and representatives from government bodies from 101 countries, including Russia, India, Italy, Iran, China, the UAE, Serbia, the USA, and France. The program features over 60 sessions across four tracks: "Future of Human," "Future of Technology," "Future of Multipolar World," and "Future of Civilizations." The program and event broadcasts are available at the website future.russia.ru.
The International Symposium "Inventing the Future" is the first event of the National Centre RUSSIA, which was established on July 1, 2024, by the order of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. The Centre aims to preserve the legacy of the International RUSSIA EXPO and showcase the achievements of the country and its citizens. The work of the Centre involves federal authorities, state companies, corporations, and regions.