Putin Names Merkushkin to New Post to Counter Foreign Influence among Russia’s Finno-Ugric Nations

Vladimir Putin has named Nikolay Merkushkin, the man he just replaced as Samara governor to be his special representative to the upcoming World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples, an assignment many will see as a consolation prize but that reflects growing concern about the Finno-Ugric peoples within the Russian Federation.

Reading Hill Mari through Meadow Mari

Dear friends, colleagues, readers, and students, our second (of four) scheduled publications this year is now ready to be downloaded: “Reading Hill Mari through Meadow Mari”. This 400-page book introduces the second literary standard of Mari (used by less than 10% of Maris, but nonetheless the working language of a vibrant culture and literature) to students and scholars already acquainted with Meadow Mari, the dominant literary standard of Mari that is now quite accessible via various materials we have published on our website, omj.mari-language.com.