Moscow: KDM, "Ekon-inform", 2012. 196 p.

Books about the history and culture of Africa are increasingly appearing on the shelves of stores. These are usually strictly scientific publications or short-term journalistic reports. But among them there are almost no works about the largest island state - the Malagasy Republic. All the more significant is the work that L. A. Kartashova, an expert on Madagascar, its history, language, and culture, a full member of the Malagasy National Academy, and a permanent compiler of these collections, has been doing for many years.

The reviewed issue is devoted, like the previous ones, to events related to one year, 2008 (like the previous ones-2005, 2006, 2007), either that occurred this year or anniversary ones. It traditionally consists of seven sections: "History", "Russia and Madagascar", "Religion", "Culture", "Literature", "In the world of nature"and " Travel". The app complements these sections,

where a list of books and articles about Madagascar that were published in 2008 is given; the main events of this year are recorded and memorable dates are indicated.

The collection successfully combines strictly scientific articles, personal impressions and stories about the natural resources of the island. This makes it equally interesting for researchers, curious readers, and business people. Opening it, N. Kh. Rozov, Professor of Moscow State University, corresponding member of RAO, who has worked in Madagascar for many years, writes:"...Its natural resources, hardworking people, and developed infrastructure promise good prospects for business in this country " (p. 3). Its authors include historians and philologists, biologists and physicists, diplomats and writers. I would especially like to note that it was attended, as before, not only by Russian citizens, but also by Malagasy residents.

The History section covers 200 years of the island's history from the creation of the Kingdom of Imerina to the time of the first president of the independent republic, Philibert Tsiranana. For the first time in our African studies, the situation of Madagascar in the Second World War is considered. All the events described do not appear impersonal, but through the characteristics of their leading participants-Andrianaipurimerina, Radama I, Paul Lejantiaume, Philibert Tsiranana. In general, attention to the personalities and human traits of historical figures distinguishes the authors of this periodical, which is far from common.

"Russia and Madagascar" contains a variety of articles. A. B. Davidson not only tells about the plans of Peter I in connection with Madagascar, but also raises a very interesting question about the essence of the modern "pirate" republic of Libertalia as a social experiment. A very important topic that has recently attracted attention - the life of our compatriots abroad-is discussed in the material prepared by the Russian Embassy in Madagascar, and in the address of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Madagascar V. B. Goncharenko to the participants of the conference that brought compatriots to Antananarivo, in the biography of the honorary chairman of the Malagasy Association of Russian Compatriots Tikhomirova. I would like to emphasize that this is almost the only such organization in sub-Saharan Africa.

Equally important and interesting are the questions raised in the "Religion" section. These articles allow us to get closer to a very complex topic-poly-confessionalism in Madagascar. Protestants (Anglicans and others) and Catholics have already been covered in previous issues. Here we are talking not so much about numerous as about significant communities of other denominations. If the Russian reader has already had the opportunity to read about the Greek churches in other African countries (Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tanzania), then this is the first time that they write about Orthodoxy on this island (and there are already quite a few Malagasy people here besides the Greeks). Also, for the first time in Russian, there are articles about Quakers and about the local religious movement "Fifuhazana"("Awakening").

The "Culture" section is multi-faceted. The article by the well-known Africanist researcher A. N. Moseyko demonstrates a philosophical approach to the mythology of the Malagasy people. Other materials tell about the formation and development of the Malagasy theater and about the outstanding figure of science and culture of Madagascar, Paul Radodi-Ralarusi.

The Literature section includes, on the one hand, research works on folk folklore and the creative path of writers of Madagascar (the poet Dox and the writer and translator from Russian Esther Randriamamundzi), on the other - publications of fairy tales (translated by L. A. Kartasheva) and poetry (translated by A. P. Tkachev).

It is well known that Madagascar has a rich flora, which is still not fully understood. There are many endemics here; a new species of one of them, the monocarnic palm of Tahina, which was only recently described, and other plants are described in the section "In the world of Nature" by the staff of the Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Another article tells about the complex and increasingly deteriorating ecological situation on the island: depletion of water resources, degradation of forest, green, and pasture lands.

The authors of the articles in the Travel section describe nature and its inhabitants (their appearance, culture, and mentality) based on their personal impressions.

In general, this relatively small collection gives a multidimensional view of the island of Madagascar, its history, culture, and people. It fills a gap in our knowledge. I will add that the articles are very easy to read, and their language successfully combines scientific content and accessibility. It is a pity that the small print run does not allow a wide range of readers to get acquainted with it. Unfortunately, as the Malagasy Embassy in Moscow has repeatedly pointed out, it is published only in Russian. But there is already a good sign - in the peer-reviewed publication there are summaries of articles in English. This is an encouraging first step for a foreign (primarily Malagasy) reader.

Permanent link to this publication: