From May 13 to July 1, 2025, the Institute of Russian Studies (Director:  Woo-Ik Choi) organized an eight-week citizen lecture series at the Banpo Library in Seocho-gu under the theme 'A Journey into Russian Depths: Reading Russian Culture and Arts.'

The lectures explored the sources of Russia’s cultural power, emphasizing the spiritual depth of Orthodoxy, the spirit of resistance in Russian literature, and the enduring cultural identity shaped by these traditions. Despite censorship and war, Russian literature and its artistic expressions have continued to bear witness to truth. The conviction famously expressed by Dostoevsky—that 'beauty will save the world'—served as a key to understanding the depth of Russian art.

The program traced the thousand-year span of Russian culture, beginning with literature and performing arts, moving through the spiritual foundations of Russian Orthodoxy, and extending to contemporary art and music. Over the course of this journey, participants reflected on what constitutes 'the Russian,' how art and truth coexist, and what insights art can offer us today.

The first four lectures were delivered by Prof. Sun-Young Park (Seoul National University), and the final four by Prof. Jung-Soo Song (Chung-Ang University). Each week, approximately 50 participants attended, demonstrating strong public interest in Russian culture and the arts.