The Russian-French Dialogue on the Crisis of European Civilization (The 5th Berdyaev Readings in Paris)
The article is devoted to the analysis of the modern crisis of European civilization, of the degradation of its basic values, as well as of the actual consequences brought about by the conscious refusal of Western Europe from its roots. The author summarizes the discussions at the Fifth Forum Berdyaev Readings, held under the auspices of the Noncommercial Foundation – Institute of Socio-Economic and Political Researches (ISEPR Foundation) in October 2016 in Paris. Russian and West European experts discussed the tragic processes of the destruction of European civilizational identity, their origins, and also sought ways to overcome them. The author of the article, making use of speeches and discussions, makes an attempt to analyze the emergence and establishment of the ideology of political conservatism in continental Europe, including the “Russian factor” as well as Russia's mission to protect the entire spiritual heritage, centuries-old values, and traditional institutions of European civilization. The return of Russia to its natural historical path of development against the backdrop of the decline of the traditional foundations of European culture in Western Europe leads to the conclusion that Russia now plays increasingly important role of the embodiment of primordial European values. Russia turns from the Eurasian frontier of the European civilization into its spiritual and cultural citadel. Thus, Russia is returning to its historic European mission as a guardian of the spiritual principles of the European Christian civilization.