Mathematician Day celebrated in Russia for first time
The new professional holiday was set to coincide with the birthday of Nikolay Lobachevsky (1792 – 1856), famous mathematician and one of the most prominent rectors of Kazan University, serving from 1827 till 1846.
“December 1 is the birthday of Nikolay Ivanovich Lobachevsky, the great rector and founder of Kazan University, a mathematician whose ideas were many decades ahead of their time,” says Yekaterina Turilova, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs. “This date has been the Day of Mathematician and the Day of Mathematics in our university for many years. On the first winter day we always remember not only the famous rector and the creator of non-Euclidean geometry, but also other mathematicians who belonged to different generations. They are all united by the desire to find the only correct solution and the scientific courage to follow their own path. It is very pleasant that on this day we have an opportunity to emphasize the importance and value of mathematics for every person and for different spheres of activity and to do it together with the whole country. Mathematician Day is a tribute to the fundamental science that ‘puts the mind in order’, develops flexibility of thinking and opens doors to the future. I congratulate you on this holiday and wish you all interesting problems and beautiful solutions!”
Acting Director of the Lobachevsky Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics Marat Nasrutdinov reminded that the proposal to establish the holiday was made by Rector of Moscow State University Viktor Sadovnichy at the All-Russian Congress of Teachers of Mathematics in November 2023. In May 2024, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin ordered to enroll the Mathematician Day in the calendar.
“This year for the first time we celebrate the Mathematician Day, timed to a significant date – the birthday of the great Russian scientist Nikolai Ivanovich Lobachevsky,” comments Nasrutdinov. “This holiday of the queen of all sciences is a significant event for all connoiseurs of mathematics and those who professionally contribute to the development of world science and the latest technologies. We are proud that Lobachevsky is a representative of the Kazan mathematical school, known and revered throughout the world, and we hope that the Mathematician Day will inspire new generations of researchers and scientists to make great discoveries!”
According to him, representatives of the Institute are now conducting research in real, complex and functional analysis, as well as algebra and computability theory. In addition, they are engaged in mathematical modeling of various processes.
“KFU has joined the All-Russian Mathematician Day. Among the events timed to this date are XVI Open Volga Region Mathematical Olympiad of Students, XI Contest-Conference for the Best Student Paper, XXIII All-Russian Youth School-Conference Lobachevsky Readings,” listed Nasrutdinov. “On Monday, December 2, the traditional flower laying at the monument to Nikolay Lobachevsky will be held, which will be attended by the management of Kazan University, students of Lobachevsky Lyceum, students of IMM.”
Throughout its existence, Kazan University has been conducting research at the highest level in almost all major areas of mathematical science, and Nikolay Lobachevsky is at the origin of almost all these studies, informed Marat Arslanov, Chair of the Department of Algebra and Mathematical Logic, Head of the Scientific and Educational Mathematical Center of the Volga Federal District, Chairman of the Lobachevsky Medal and Prize Jury.
“Along with the great Lobachevsky, other mathematicians of the highest magnitude worked in our university, whose scientific research determined the subsequent directions of science development, and they should not be forgotten either,” said Arslanov. “I will mention only some of them: in the XIX century they were Alexander Vasilyev, Fyodor Suvorov, in the first half of the XX century – the founder of Kazan algebraic school Nikolay Chebotaryov, as well as Alexander Kotelnikov, Alexander Norden, Pyotr Shirokov.”