The knowledge of Russia"s Soviet past has advanced following the partial opening of archives in early 1990s. Ever since, the Russian historical discourse has developed in three main areas: politics, science, and education. The article assesses the role the professional historians are assigned to in the shaping of the historical memory in Putin"s Russia and in constructing the new Russian identity through the redefining of Russia"s Soviet past. It exemplifies this process through a biographical study ofAlexander Chubaryan, the regime"s prominent historian.
