СТРАТЕГИИ ОСМЫСЛЕНИЯ И РЕПРЕЗЕНТАЦИИ ТРАНСГРАНИЧНЫХ ТЕРРИТОРИЙ СИБИРИ В ОЧЕРКАХ Н.А. КОСТРОВА

Abstract

The article discusses the problem of understanding and representation of the crossborder territories of Siberia in Nikolay Kostrov’s essays as laying a foundation for the theory and methodology of cross-border studies. The author analyzes descriptions of cross-border territories that are numerous in Kostrov’s publications, Kostrov’s ideas about the border, cross-border territories and their functions, the models and types of cross-border interactions Kostrov created, and the life styles of the population of these territories. The author proves that Kostrov’s essays on the problems of the cross-border territories of Siberia fit into the context of the then contemporary studies and clearly show that it is mechanisms of influence of the spatial conditions of cross-border territories (resulting from the features of climate, geographical location, historical development) on the behavior of people living and migrating there, rather than the territories themselves, that are significant for analysis. Concretizing the problem of strategies for understanding cross-border territories laid down in Kostrov’s essays, one should first note his attention to the formation and development of cross-border spaces, which is in demand and updated within the framework of modern sociology of space and cultural geography. The algorithm of stating and understanding the problem that Kostrov proposed (taking into account the essay nature of his articles intended for the general reader) includes: (1) representation of empirical material about cross-border space, often collected by Kostrov himself during his trips to Siberia or gleaned from authoritative sources; (2) typification and classification of cross-border spaces based on a certain system of signs (symbols, concepts): river, road, border, mountains, etc. Kostrov’s essays mainly describe practices of cross-border interactions, for he sees cross-border territories as a localization of sociocultural ties and relations of residents of such regions. rather than as a geographical and geopolitical space. This allows building a dialogue of cultures and preserving one’s identity. In general, it can be argued that Kostrov made a significant contribution to the initial stage of the formation of the methodology for the study of cross-border territories on the Siberian material. This stage was characterized by the coexistence of approaches already tested by researchers from Western Europe and Central Russia and new theories. In particular, Kostrov organically combines historical-geographical and partly political-economic approaches with anthropological ones. He thus strengthens the understanding of cross-border territories as sociocultural phenomena that are constantly changing and developing (and these are the essential features of the Siberian cross-border region according to Kostrov), and, accordingly, emphasizes the significance of an interdisciplinary approach to their understanding and representation.