HSE University–St Petersburg Graduate from Mexico Launches Podcast about Russian History
Rainer Matos Franco, HSE University–St Petersburg graduate and candidate of historical sciences, has launched the podcast Russia Aloud (Rusia en Voz Alta). The goal of the project is to dispel myths, prejudices, and distortions in the perception of the country.
Rainer Matos Franco is a graduate of master's and PhD programmes at HSE University–St Petersburg. In 2024, he successfully defended his dissertation, 'The Conradi Process and the Origins of the Russian Section of the Entente Internationale Anticommuniste, 1923–1924.' Several years ago, the HSE University–St Petersburg graduate decided to record a podcast for Mexicans about Russian history. An opportunity to bring this idea to life appeared in the form of an offer by Rossotrudnichestvo in Mexico to create an audiobook in Spanish. As a result, this project transformed into a podcast.
'In Latin America, and Mexico in particular, knowledge about Russia is limited and significantly distorted. This inspired me to contribute and put the facts before prejudices,' reflected Rainer Matos Franco.
According to the author, the goal of the podcast is to reach a Spanish-speaking audience with a review of Russian history, from the Middle Ages to modern days. In the framework of the project, he not only reviews events occurring in different periods but also considers the country's future.
'I made a considerable effort to bring together lots of facts in 20 episodes. Each listener can dive into the country's history, from the introduction of the term "Rus'" to recent events.
The podcast is aimed at a wide audience, and listeners don't have to be experts in history or politics to understand the material. The language of the episodes is deliberately simple, so they will be of interest to both professional and general audiences. I would put it this way: my goal is to reach curious Mexicans,' said the researcher.
According to Rainer Matos Franco, history helps us to understand the present. It covers various aspects, from economics to ideology, and helps us see that everything happening now has its causes and consequences.
Rainer Matos Franco
There is a striking similarity between lots of historic events in Russia and Mexico, so enquiring Mexican ears can benefit from these lessons and reflect on the present or future. In some episodes, I even mention Mexico, drawing very interesting parallels between certain moments in both countries' pasts.
The Mexican researcher has studied Russia since his childhood. He became familiar with literature on the topic more than 30 years ago, and since then has been regularly expanding his knowledge about the country's history. In 2011, Rainer Matos Franco came to Russia as a tourist, and a year later, as an exchange student for a semester. In 2013, he started working at the Mexican Embassy in Moscow, and in 2018, he enrolled in a master's programme at HSE University–St Petersburg, focusing on applied and interdisciplinary history.
'Memories related to HSE University–St Petersburg are forever in my heart. I am sure they played a part in creating this podcast. After getting my master's degree, I enrolled in a PhD programme at HSE University–St Petersburg, where I studied Russian history in a joint programme with the University of Turin (Italy).
What's more, I am studying Russian in Mexico, and I was married to a Russian girl. I travelled all over the country—from Pskov to Irkutsk, from Karelia to Zlatoust. At different times, I lived in both capitals, Moscow and St Petersburg. I have to say that Moscow is my favourite city on Earth. You feel the magic in it, which reminds me of my dear Mexico City in part with its well-ordered chaos and grandeur in all aspects,' shared Rainer Matos Franco.
Tatiana Borisova
Thesis Supervisor of Rainer Matos Franco
Working with Rainer was a great pleasure for me. He is a well-educated, smart, goal-oriented, and hardworking researcher. I was especially happy when he defended his PhD dissertation with honours, because for our history committee, such a result is very rare.
Juan Antonio Carmona Garcia, researcher at the CIIEMAD Centre at the Instituto Politécnico Nacional, gave high praise to his countryman. He visited HSE University–St Petersburg during International Partners' Week and decided to spend the rest of his vacation in Russia. According to the researcher, the podcast helped him to learn valuable information about Russia.
'When I learnt about the launch of this project, I knew straightaway that I had to get acquainted with it. Pretty quickly, I learnt that the author was well-prepared, and I heard that for myself as soon as I turned on the first episode. Taking into account the similarities between certain historical aspects of our countries, the project is useful and insightful for a wide audience both in Mexico and Russia,' shared Juan Antonio Carmona Garcia.
All episodes of the podcast have now been recorded. Rainer Matos Franco is planning to create a more personal project that would allow him not only to speak about history but also to raise questions of anthropology, music, and sport.
'While studying at HSE University–St Petersburg, I became a specialist in early Soviet history and immersed myself in research on the first wave of Russian emigration (1917–1939). I can confidently say that I fell in love with this topic, in particular when I was working on my dissertation. For example, Alexander Guchkov, whose life in exile wasn't covered much in historiography, inspires me for new ideas and creative projects!' summed up Rainer Matos Franco.
