On June 3, 2003, a meeting of the Department of Ural-Altaic Languages was held to mark the 110th anniversary of the birth of Professor Vladimir Mikhailovich Nasilov (1893 - 1970), an honored Scientist of the RSFSR, a representative of the older generation of Turkologists, one of the first researchers of Uyghur and Uzbek languages in our country.

Zav. Department of Ural-Altaic Languages corresponding member. E. R. Tenishev briefly highlighted the scientific and pedagogical activities of V. M. Nasilov, the author of the first textbook of the Uyghur language, which was repeatedly reprinted in a steklographic way (in 2 parts: 1933, 1935, 1940, 1949). Describing V. M. Nasilov as a researcher who was extremely sensitive to new scientific trends and trends, E. R. Tenishev he expressed the hope that his " Grammar of the Uyghur language "(Moscow, 1940), written under the influence of the "primacy of syntax" and reflecting the author's original approach to the structure of the Uyghur language, may still be relevant and in demand when changing the relationships of levels in the grammatical concept. Compiled by V. M. Nasilov together with N. A. Baskakov ,the " Uyghur-Russian Dictionary "(Moscow, 1939) continues to remain in scientific use, reflecting the vocabulary of the Xinjiang Uyghurs. It is not surprising that it was the dictionary of N. A. Baskakov and V. M. Nasilov that later formed the basis of the" Uyghur-Chinese dictionary "published in China by Burhan Shahidi, and was also used in the preparation of the large" Uyghur-Russian dictionary " by E. N. Najip. In the memory of his many students and colleagues, V. M. Nasilov remained forever not only as a scientist and teacher, but also as a man of many interests, in love with art, sacred music, native nature, and floriculture.

Dmitry Nasilov (MSU), V. M. Nasilov's nephew, spoke about the scientist's life. He acquainted the audience with the original biographical documents of his uncle.

V. M. Nasilov was born on May 28, 1893 in Zaraysk in the family of a priest. He received his Oriental studies at the Lazarev Institute of Oriental Languages, majoring in Arabic, Iranian and Turkic philology (1913-1917), where his teachers were academicians F. E. Korsh, V. A. Gordlevsky, and A. E. Krymsky. In 1917-1921 he taught at a real school (later a second - level school) in Zaraysk, and until 1924 he taught at technical schools and secondary schools in Berdychiv and Zhytomyr. Since 1924, V. M. Nasilov taught Uzbek and Tajik languages at the factory apprenticeship school at the Zaraisk weaving factory "Krasny Vostok", which trained young Uzbek and Tajik cadres for the textile industry of Central Asia.

In the 1920s, linguistic and cultural development was developing in the multinational country, and the intensive development of industry in the previously economically backward regions of Central Asia posed urgent tasks for linguists to create production terminology and train competent specialists-production managers. Such work was assigned to the eastern sections of the Central Institute of Labor, and later to the Research Institute of the Peoples of the East, which conducted linguistic expeditions in Central Asia. V. M. Nasilov, as a member of the expeditions in 1921-1928, carried out lexicological research on the Uzbek, Uyghur and Tajik languages. The results of this work were published in the periodical " Culture and Writing of the East "(1931, book 9) in the article "Observations on the formation of production terms of the Uzbek and Tajik languages in the conditions of factory equipment", reprinted in 1988 by the journal "Soviet Turkology". In it, V. M. Nasilov summarized the important problems of national terminology and the issues of general Turkology that remain relevant to this day.

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V. M. Nasilov was one of the first Russian linguists who turned to the basics of term-making.

In 1928-1930 V. M. Nasilov was a researcher at the Institute of Peoples of the Soviet East, and since 1930 he has been a teacher of the Uyghur language at KUTV. At the same time, he worked together with N. A. Baskakov and other scientists to create a grammar of the Uyghur language and a Uyghur-Russian dictionary.

G. F. Blagova (Institute of Linguistics of the Russian Academy of Sciences) noted the importance of V. M. Nasilov's Turkological research. His articles and books, she stressed, are still in demand. They echo the latest developments of modern Turkologists and specialists in related industries. In this respect, his report "Onomastics of hunting life of Tuvans, Uyghurs and Kazakhs" is noteworthy, which he read in 1966 in Ravillo (Italy) at the Permanent International Altaistic Conference (in Russian, the report was published in "Soviet Turkology" in 1978). In this report, V. M. Nasilov appears as a completely modern ethnolinguist. His research approaches and methods outlined in this report are still an incentive for the first experiments of ethnolinguistic studies on the Turkic material 30 years later.

Since 1930, V. M. Nasilov's teaching activity has been concentrated at the Institute of Oriental Languages in Moscow (later-the Moscow Institute of Oriental Studies-MIV). Being already a well-known Uyghur scholar, he first taught Uyghur here, and later, becoming a professor of Turkic philology, headed the Uyghur language department (until 1953). The Uyghur language became the main object of V. M. Nasilov's research for a long time. Along with the Grammar of the Uyghur Language (Moscow, 1940), he publishes a number of articles on the morphology and syntax of this language. Since 1943, V. M. Nasilov has been combining teaching at the Moscow Institute of International Relations with teaching at the Department of Turkic Languages of the Eastern Branch of the Faculty of Philology of Moscow State University. The scope of his research expanded significantly, and he turned to the development of theoretically important problems. Through understanding the typological features of the Uyghur language, the scientist comes to the study of the Turkic languages as a whole (Trudy MIV, 1946, N 3). His attention is drawn to various categories of verbs and names in the Turkic languages, starting from the category of the form (Trudy MIV, 1947, N 4).

From the second half of the 1940s, V. M. Nasilov taught courses in the Orkhon-Yenisei Runic and Old Uighur languages at Moscow State University. In his works of the 1950s, he increasingly refers to the ancient Turkic material ("Verbal names in their development in Turkic languages", 1958; "Some features of word formation in ancient Turkic monuments", 1978); the work on verbal names in the predicative function (based on the material of ancient Turkic monuments) remains incomplete, the article is directly related to it "Inclusion affixes "(Uch. zap. MGIMO, 1958). Along with theoretical and grammatical developments, V. M. Nasilov studied the history of ancient literary Turkic languages - "The Language of the Orkhon-Yenisei monuments" (Moscow, 1960), "The Old Uyghur Language" (Moscow, 1963) and "The Language of the Turkic monuments of the Uyghur script of the XI-XV centuries" (Moscow, 1974).

V. M. Nasilov brought up a whole galaxy of historians of early Turkic literary languages, including E. A. Grunin, R. Kh. Khalikov (Bashkiria), A. S. Amanzholov (Kazakhstan), who live in the memory of their unforgettable teacher, who was attentive, sensitive and friendly to their first scientific search.

According to E. A. Potseluyevsky (Institute of Linguistics of the Russian Academy of Sciences), V. M. Nasilov's development of key theoretical problems of Turkic grammar is reflected mainly in the scientist's articles published in departmental small-circulation publications and therefore did not become the property of the general scientific community. Meanwhile, these works outline ways to solve such cardinal issues as the characteristics of nominal parts of speech and nominal verb forms in Turkic languages, the typology of the Turkic sentence, the specifics of constructing complex syntactic compositions, etc. Ahead of contemporary syntaxists, V. M. Nasilov found a form specific to the Turkic languages - how the mechanism of including nominal verb forms in such compositions works (the article "Inclusion Affixes" was written in 1952, published in 1958, and reprinted in 1985).

V. M. Nasilov's grammatical concept, which was characterized by a non-standard understanding of the structure of the Turkic languages, was not explicitly expressed by him; only certain, though key, issues were specifically considered. A special place among his theoretical works, according to E. A. Potseluyevsky, is occupied by the article "Inclusion Affixes".

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E. A. Grunina (ISAA at Moscow State University) emphasized that by the nature of his education (Lazarev Institute of Oriental Languages, where V. M. Nasilov studied Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Uzbek and other Turkic languages in 1913-1917), the scientist belonged to a generation of broad Orientalists who could potentially realize themselves both in practical activities as well as in linguistic science, history, ethnography, and philology. In 1943, when the Eastern department and the Department of Turkic Philology were established at the Faculty of Philology of Moscow State University, V. M. Nasilov, by that time already a well-known specialist in Uyghur studies, was invited to teach. Dozens of future scientists prepared dissertations under his supervision. He created a course of lectures on historical Turkology and ancient Turkic monuments at the Eastern Department of the Faculty of Philology of Moscow State University, wrote and published the first generalizing works on the description of their language in Russian, which received a positive assessment from colleagues, including foreign ones. Unfortunately, he did not manage to create generalizing works, which was largely due to a number of objective and subjective circumstances.

I. V. Borolina (ISAA at Moscow State University) spoke about V. M. Nasilov as a teacher. She noted that his classes in the Uzbek language were characterized by an imaginative," pictorial " presentation of the material, which is especially valuable for students who are used to the boring wording of textbooks. A well-educated man, he sought to broaden the horizons of students; in private conversations with them, he was a constant adviser and assistant. Accessible for communication, V. M. Nasilov remained in the memory of his students a large-scale and poetic personality.

N. M. Khasanov (Institute of Nationalism. V. M. Nasilov tried to develop students ' research thinking, to be critical of established approaches, to Turkological concepts, and to help them understand the complexity of the structure of Turkic languages and their internal patterns. That is why N. K. Dmitriev called V. M. Nasilov "a philosopher in Turkology".

R. F. Tarasenko (IB RAS), K. M. Musaev, G. Ts. Pyurbeev (both INR RAS), AL. Barannikova, and I. G. Dobrodomov (both MSPU) shared their memories of V. M. Nasilov. Speakers noted the special attitude of V. M. Nasilov to the creative search of his students. It gave them the freedom to choose the initial concept, supported the germs of independent scientific thought of a novice researcher.

G. F. BLAGOVA, D. M. NASILOV

SAINT PETERSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY OF SAINT PETERSBURG

On April 28-30, 2003, the Faculty of Oriental Studies of the University with the support of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Russian Federation and the Cultural Representation at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Russian Federation held an international scientific conference "300 Years of Iranian Studies in St. Petersburg". The conference was attended by more than 100 participants from 7 countries of the near and far abroad.

The plenary session was opened by an outstanding researcher of Iranian antiquities, Akad. RAS, Honorary Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, St. Petersburg State University M. N. Bogolyubov. Then the Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, acad. Russian Academy OF SCIENCES. Steblin-Kamensky made a report "Three centuries of Iranian studies in St. Petersburg", in which he briefly discussed the main stages of the development of this branch of Oriental studies.

The conference was held in five sections: linguistics and literary studies; historiography and source studies; ancient and medieval history; modern history; economy and politics of Iran; religious studies. A total of 57 reports were heard and discussed.

The conference was actively attended by a delegation of Iranian scientists, headed by Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran A. R. Mouayeri and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Russian Federation G. Shafei.

The Faculty of Oriental Studies of St. Petersburg State University is deeply grateful to Dr. M. Sanai, Head of the Cultural Representation of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Russian Federation and Secretary of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Russian Federation Sey-

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Thank you to A. Mousavi for his help and assistance in organizing and holding the conference.

Collection of materials published. It is available in the Library of the Faculty of Oriental Studies of St. Petersburg State University, the library of the Peter the Great Kunstkamera Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and other institutions of Oriental studies in St. Petersburg.

A. K. ALEKSEEV

OMSK

Since its origin in ancient times, in the early Bronze Age, specialized weapons, methods and techniques of their manufacture and use have been a universal phenomenon for many peoples and cultures of Eurasia. Similar forms of weapons were used by different peoples living in remote areas of the Eurasian continent. Advanced technologies for the production of metal weapons and methods of their cooperative use on the battlefield were borrowed and transferred over long distances in the shortest possible time, since the life and very existence of ethnic groups, peoples and states in ancient and medieval times directly depended on the possession of the most advanced and effective weapons.

Despite the prevailing trends towards unification and leveling differences in the production and use of weapons, the design of weapons items was greatly influenced by the ethnic and cultural traditions of different peoples and ethnic groups belonging to different cultural and economic types and living near or at a considerable distance from the centers of weapons craft. Therefore, weapons complexes of different ethnic groups and states of antiquity and the Middle Ages have a certain ethno-cultural specificity.

The study of the problems of ethnic and cultural specifics of weapons and military art was devoted to the work of the ninth section "Ethnocultural specifics of weapons and military art" * at the V Congress of Ethnographers and Anthropologists, held in Omsk from June 9 to 12, 2003 on the basis of Omsk State University and the Omsk branch of the Joint Institute of History, Philology and Philosophy of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The Congress was held by the Association of Ethnographers and Anthropologists of Russia under the chairmanship of the Head of the Omsk Region Administration L. K. Polezhaev, Director of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Deputy Academician - Secretary of the Department of Historical and Philological Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences, corresponding member. V. A. Tishkov, Director of the Omsk branch of the OIFF SB RAS, Head of the Department of Ethnography and Museology of OmSU, President of the Association N. A. Tomilov.

The section was attended by scientists, specialists in the history of weapons, ethnographers, archaeologists, historians from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Kemerovo, Gorno-Altaisk.

In the report of I. A. Glazov (Omsk, Museum of Fine Arts), the question of the origin of swords from the monuments of Sargat culture in the Irtysh region was considered. The author of the report suggested that the Sargat horseman swords with long blades are of Chinese, Han origin and were borrowed by the population of the Sargat culture in the process of contacts and migrations of nomads from Central Asia during the "great migration of peoples".

Report of an employee of the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography. Peter the Great V. A. Kisel (St. Petersburg) was devoted to the use of paired bladed weapons by soldiers from many countries and regions of Eurasia in the light of archaeological and ethnographic data. The author of the report drew on the extensive iconographic material and written historical evidence relating to a very wide chronological period, from antiquity to the late Middle Ages, as well as modern ethnography from different countries of Europe and Asia. He convincingly proved that a stable tradition of double-bladed fencing existed in the East Asian region, although the use of paired bladed weapons in close combat is also known among other peoples, whose warriors could use such techniques sporadically.

In the report of Yu. S. Khudyakov (Novosibirsk, Institute of Archeology and Ethnography SB RAS), ethnocultural features were considered.-

* This work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Science, grant No. 03-01-12033b.

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He described the weapons complexes of the Xianbians and native tribes of the Ulugh-Khem, Kokel and Chaat cultures, whose monuments were studied on the territory of Tuva; the weapons complexes of nomads of the Bulan - Koba and Kok-Pash cultures; the weapons complexes of nomads of the Central Asian nomads during the existence of the Xianbian state and the Zhuzhan Khaganate (II-V centuries AD). monuments of Airydash and Berel type in Gorny Altai; a set of weapons of tribes, carriers of Tashtyk culture in the Minusinsk basin. The characteristic elements in the composition of the weapons complexes of the nomads of the Sayano-Altai were traced, which were borrowed by them from the Huns and Xianbians. Certain regularities were revealed in the development of the military affairs of the nomads of Central Asia in the II-V centuries A.D. Throughout the period under review, the role of close combat, offensive and defensive weapons designed to defeat the enemy and protect them when approaching him gradually increased. The greatest development of offensive and defensive weapons in close combat was received by the Xianbians, the politically and militarily dominant ethnic group in the Xianbian state. The practice of resettling vassal tribes (the ancient Turks led by the ruling Ashina clan to the Altai, the ancient Kyrgyz, and the Gyanguns to the Yenisei), who were more developed in the field of military affairs in comparison with local ethnic groups, which became widespread in the Zhuzhan Khaganate, contributed to the spread of the most advanced types of weapons for this period among the nomads of Sayano-Altai.

In a joint report by A. M. Ilyushin and M. G. Suleimenov (both from Kemerovo, the Humanitarian Research Center of the Kuzbass State Technical University), the issues of the functioning of weapons as an ethno-cultural and chronological indicator among the medieval population of the Kuznetsk Basin were raised. According to the speakers, the complex of weapons of the medieval aborigines belonging to the Samoyeds who lived in the Toma and Ini River valleys was significantly different in their species and typological composition and decorative design of individual items from the weapons of the Turkic-speaking migrants who moved to the Kuznetsk Basin from the Sayano-Altai and Ob Region during the early and developed Middle Ages.

Experts and young scientists from the Omsk Scientific Center, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk and Kemerovo participated in the discussion on the issues raised in the reports. During the discussion, the participants of the discussion came to the opinion that the development of problems of ethnocultural specifics of weapons and military art among the ancient and medieval peoples of Eurasia is important for the development of research not only in the field of weapons studies and military history, but also in archeology, ethnography, and Oriental studies.

Unfortunately, due to financial and organizational difficulties, some scientists from Barnaul, Orenburg, Makhachkala, Novosibirsk, Saransk, and Elista, whose reports were announced in the program of this scientific forum, could not come to the congress and take part in the work of the section.

A. Y. BORISENKO, Yu. S. KHUDYAKOV

Kazakhstan

URALSK

On September 23-25, 2003, within the framework of the Days of Russian and Kazakh Science, an International scientific and practical Conference "Integration Union of Kazakhstan and Russia and challenges of globalization" was held in the Urals region. It was attended by Kazakh and Russian political scientists, historians, economists, and international specialists: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Lomonosov Moscow State University, MGIMO, Institute of International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Presidential Academy of Civil Service, Saint Petersburg University, universities of Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Dagestan, the Volga Region, the Urals, Siberia, and the Far East East, the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as the journal "Central Asia and the Caucasus "(Sweden).

The participants of the meeting welcomed the Deputy Akim of the West Kazakhstan region, Chairman of the Organizing Committee T. S. Saparov and Head of the Department of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Public and Political Sector of the Internal Policy Department of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan B. B. Mamraev.

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V. A. Mikhailov, I. K. Beisembetov and L. A. Fridman, Head of the Department of Foreign Policy of the Russian Presidential Academy of Civil Service (ISAA at Moscow State University), and S. E. Zhusupov, President of the Kazakhstan Institute of Socio - Economic Information and Forecasting, made presentations on the process of globalization and relations between Russia and Kazakhstan.

The forum was organized in sections: "Politics. Security", "Economy", " History. Culture". More than 60 reports and presentations were made.

In the section " Politics. Security" were considered: problems of regional security in Central Asian countries and regional integration-Head of the Department. Zh. S. Syzdykova, Rector of West Kazakhstan University T. Z. Rysbekov and others; issues of Russian-Kazakh cooperation - G. T. Telebayev (Astana), K. Kh. Kapanov (Uralsk) and others; interaction of Central Asian countries and neighbors in the era of globalization-Yu. V. Bosin (ISAA) Director of the analytical center " Strategy "(Alma-Ata) M. S. Mashan.

The reports presented at the Economics section aroused great interest and lively discussion: A. A. Maslov (Head of the Department of General History of RUDN University) "Integration processes in the Asia-Pacific countries", S. G. Luzyanin (MGIMO) " Problems of cross-border relations between Russia and China (regional aspect)", S. T. Kapanova (Acad. of Labor and social relations - Uralsk. Further-ATiSO) "State and interstate regulation of the CIS economic space". The process of economic integration, cooperation in the field of transport, economic models, development of the oil industry of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation, and prospects for its development were considered by L. B. Aristova (IB RAS), E. S. Karibdzhanov (Alma Ata), N. B. Narbaev (MFA of the Russian Federation) and other heads. Ezhov (ISAA) touched upon the issues of water resources in Central Asian countries. The reports of T. K. Urazgaliyev (West Kazakhstan State University), M. F. Vidyasova (ISAA), D. M. Iskakova (Aktyubinsk) and others were devoted to economic models, Russian-Kazakh cooperation in the development of oil reserves, prospects for the development of the oil industry in Russia and Kazakhstan, the standard of living in Kazakhstan, etc.

Section " History. Culture " reviewed more than 20 reports on ethnopolitical processes in the Republic of Kazakhstan, ethno-cultural aspects of the integration union of Russia and Kazakhstan, migration processes, cross-border cooperation between both countries, Islam in Central Asia, national issues, Cossacks, etc. Among the speakers, we note the reports of S. G. Klyashtorny (St. Petersburg), Yu. O. Bulukaev (Alma-Ata), M. Kh. Abuseitova (Alma-Ata) and others.

On the last day of the conference, M. S. Meyer, Director of the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Lomonosov Moscow State University, delivered a welcoming speech and report. Rector of ATiSO Kh.K. Kapanov informed about the preparation of a standard curriculum for the specialty "Regional Studies" for higher education institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan. E. S. Melkumyan (ISAA) presented the prospects of moving towards a single educational space in the context of the development of regional integration models.

At the same meeting, messages were listened to on the following topics:: "The Middle East and Islam in Russian science and Education", " On the experience of training specialists at the L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (Astana)", etc. At the end of the meeting, there was a presentation of the standard programs "History of Asian and African countries", "Commonwealth of Independent States", approval of expert opinions on the introduction of new educational programs, etc.

In conclusion, the conference participants came to the conclusion that it is advisable to hold such forums that strengthen ties between different regions of Kazakhstan and Russia and contribute to the development of science and training of Oriental specialists in both countries.

L. B. ARISTOVA

ULAANBAATAR

The National Association of Mongolian Studies (Mongolia) held a regular summer school for young foreign Mongolian scholars from July 10 to August 4, 2003. The traditional summer school was organized by the Pedagogical University in

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Ulaanbaatar with the support of the President of Mongolia N. Bagabandi.

Young specialists who arrived from Russia, Hungary, South Korea, Japan, France, Holland and Kazakhstan were offered a diverse course of lectures on historical and philological subjects, individual classes with leading researchers, museum and archive workers on topics of interest. The most numerous and active participants of the summer school were Mongolian scholars from university centers in Japan and South Korea. Russian Mongolian studies was well represented by young scientists, representatives of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, IMBiT SB RAS, ISAA at Moscow State University and the Faculty of Oriental Studies of St. Petersburg University.

The participants of the summer school noted the high level of organization of the lecture course, which is extremely intensive and rich in content. The atmosphere of cooperation with Mongolian colleagues favored the establishment of contacts, exchange of views and cooperation plans between young representatives of Mongolian studies schools from different countries. Especially interesting, in our opinion, were field classes led by the historian and archaeologist D. Bayar at the excavations of the ancient Mongolian capital Karakorum and a visit to the famous Buddhist monastery of Erdeni Tzu.

The cultural program provided guests with the opportunity to enjoy the spectacle of the traditional Na Adam national holiday and horse racing.

I would like to thank the President of the National Association of Mongolian Studies, Mr. B. Enkhtuvshin, and his assistant, Ms. M. Naranchimeg, who were responsible for organizing the summer school and hosting guests. Our Mongolian colleagues have provided young foreign scientists who have chosen the study of Mongolia and Mongolian culture as their specialty with an excellent opportunity for language and scientific training, as well as invaluable assistance and support in their endeavors.

S. B. NAMSARAYEVA

KUALA LUMPUR

On August 30, 2003, the E - Mail Awards were presented at the University of Malaya. SASTERA.Com", or APAS of the Virtual Community of Writers of Malaysia (Community Zero), sponsored by the Ramius Corporation.

The Commonwealth has existed since March 2002 and has gained popularity among non-professional writers. It has five sections: prose, Malay poetry, poetry in English (including translations of original works from Malay), humor and satire (both poetry and prose), and criticism. In terms of popularity, the Malay poetry section ranks first (397 people), followed by satire and humor (128 people), and only then prose and poetry in English (94 and 80 people, respectively); the criticism section has 79 members. The Commonwealth is headed by Irwan Abu Bakar, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Malaya. Anyone can become a member of the commonwealth: just log in to the site www.communityzero.com and leave your work in the appropriate section.

The awards were divided into two sections: poetry in Malay and satire and humor. The winner of the first section was Nick Mohamad Iznan Tuan Yakub, a student of engineering at Tun Hussein Onna College in Johor (alias Nimoiz T. Ya.), the second place was taken by a librarian from Kangar Nilamsuri and the third place was taken by a businessman from Selangor - Razali Endun. Ida Munira Abu Bakar, a student of the Malaysian University of Technology, won the second prize in the second section, Ramli Wahab (alias Naqhoda), an employee of the bank, and Anjan Ahzana, a student of the Academy of Islam of the University of Malaya, took the third place. Twenty other members of the Commonwealth received incentive prizes.

The presentation of the first anthology of Commonwealth poems, published on the website in 2002, was held simultaneously with the presentation of prizes to the best poets.*

* APAS. Antologi Puisi Pilihan Komuniti "Penyair" Alam Siber. Anugerah Penuair Alam Siber 2003. Diselenggarakan oleh: Irwan Abu Bakar&Hasimah Harun. Ilustrasi oleh: Wan Dinie Ashrafi. Kuala Lumpur. KAPAS Publication, 2003, 164 p.

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Anwar Ridwan, a well-known Malaysian novelist, who was present at the awards ceremony, expressed the hope that the activities of the Virtual Community of Writers of Malaysia (the first and so far only one in the country) will contribute to the promotion of Malay literature on the international stage.

V. A. POGADAEV

* * *

On September 16, 2003, a dialogue between Indonesian and Malaysian writers was held at the headquarters of the Malaysian writers ' organization GAPENA. The Indonesian side was represented by Ati Tawfiq Ismail, Executive Director of the Horison Literary Magazine, Jamal D. Rahman, Editor-in-Chief of the magazine, and Prof. Suminto, director of Yogyakarta Esok Theater Hamdi Salad, poets Hamid Jabbar, Viddi, Shafuddin. Malaysia was represented by the First Chairman of the GAPENA organization, Ismail Hussain, other members of its leadership, writer Abdullah Hussain, poets-Kemala, Baha Zain, Gafar Ibrahim, Siti Zainon Ismail, Alias Taib, Ahmad Razali, representatives of youth writers ' organizations, students. The dialogue was devoted to the interaction of literatures of the two countries.

Prof. Suminto noted, in particular, the rapid development of Indonesian literature after the change of the dictatorial regime of Suharto. All generations of writers participate in this process. From the older generation, he named Tawfiq Abdullah, Rendra, Sutarji, from the younger generation - Hamid Jabbar and Viddi. According to him, the Islamic element is growing in Indonesian literature, but at the same time fiction is developing.

Literature and art played a major role in organizing the popular movement that led to the fall of the Suharto regime. Tawfiq Abdullah's poems "I'm Ashamed to be Indonesian", Sutarji's poems "Land of Blood" and Rendra's old poetry, in particular "Blues for Bonnie", were played at student demonstrations, which sometimes turned into some kind of happenings with reading patriotic poems, singing songs and performances of traditional theater. Writers and artists in these events were the ideological inspirers. At a new stage, when the country was overwhelmed by a wave of violence and the threat of separatism, writers defended the unity of the country and its integrity.

Jamal D. Rahman spoke about the actions of the Khorison magazine to popularize literature in the country. The magazine's teams of writers and poets travel to the farthest corners of Indonesia, drawing crowds of people to lectures and poetry readings. He noted a certain revival of literature in national languages (Sundanese, Javanese, Balinese, Madur, etc.), but stressed that most writers still prefer to write in the national Indonesian language.

Speakers stressed the urgent need for closer contacts between writers from the two cultures and languages of the two peoples of Indonesia and Malaysia. In their opinion, differences in language (sometimes significant) should not prevent the publication of works by Indonesian authors in Malaysia and Malaysian authors in Indonesia. The first step on this path has already been taken. Within the framework of the regional organization of the MASTER, which unites writers from Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, literary journals in these countries have special tabs with the publication of works by writers from member countries of this organization, and in the magazine "Horison" works are published in the original, without editing or adaptation, in relation to the Indonesian language.

This idea was supported by the Malaysian participants of the dialogue. Ismail Hussein expressed the opinion that holding such dialogues and discussions is useful, as it allows both sides to get to know each other better. Differences in languages and cultures should not hinder mutual rapprochement and close interaction.

At the end of the discussion, the poets who were present read their poems.

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