This meeting begins a series of open discussions and practices within the Ukrainian-Swedish Forum. It is a platform, initiated by Sankt Ignatios College, for long-term dialogue and actions on Ukraine’s reconstruction and democratic post-war renewal, thereby building a shared Ukrainian-European horizon.

This session examines Russkiy mir (“the Russian world”) as a modern ideology shaped by history and the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church. It explores how religion, culture, language, and politics were combined into a single worldview presenting Russia as a moral and civilizational power — and how this vision has been turned into a rationale for war and violations of basic human rights.

Rather than treating its link to war as simple nationalism, the discussion highlights deeper roots: Soviet ideas of nationhood, traditions of centralized authority, and the social dislocation after the Soviet collapse. These forces enabled a close church–state alliance and helped legitimize Russia’s war against Ukraine, with lasting consequences for Europe’s political future.

Our lecturer – Michael Hjälm- is the Dean of Sankt Ignatios College, Sankt Ignatios folkhögskola and the Unit of Religious Studies and Theology; Senior Lecturer and Subject Representative, Practical Theology with Religious Behavioral Science.

Date: 17 March (Tuesday), 18.00-19.30
Format: online and offline at Södertälje, Nygatan 2.

You can watch the recorded event here.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Yuliia Naidych.