Anna Sokolova
Senior Research Fellow at the Faculty of History, University of Ostrava, Czech Republic

In the Soviet Union during the Cold War, foraging for wild plants was not just an everyday practice essential for survival but also a crucial element of the planned economy. The procurement, processing, and export of natural raw materials—organized through regional branches of consumer cooperatives—engaged thousands of rural residents across the country.
However, the collection and processing of wild plants not only provided peasants with additional income but also integrated into global trade and scientific networks. How did biologists, breeders, and economists shape the Soviet economy of wild resources? How was knowledge transferred between gatherers and procurement officials? And why do these seemingly minor practices offer a fresh perspective on Soviet social and economic history?

April 9 at 7:00 pm at 31/4 Charents str. Caucasus Institute building, 3rd floor