Динамика численности и социокультурный статус российских соотечественников в Абхазии и Армении

Abstract

The article presents some analytical materials obtained during the ethnographic expedition “Modern ethnoworld. Horizons of the Caucasus” on the territory of Abkhazia and Armenia. The problems of ethnic Russians - compatriots living in the countries of Transcaucasia in the post-Soviet space are considered. Studies have shown that the Russian population in Abkhazia and Armenia reached its largest number in the 80s before perestroika. After the collapse of the USSR in 1991, the first major wave of migration of compatriots to Russia took place, the cause of the second migration wave was military conflicts, natural disasters and the subsequent economic recession. According to the results of the population census on the territory of the former Soviet republics, the number of compatriots as a whole has halved. Historically, the Russian population is concentrated in the capital and other central cities with developed industry and high educational, scientific and cultural potential. In Armenia, the places of compact residence of Russians in 11 villages located in the north-east of the country are widespread, among them are Lermontovo and Fioletovo, in which the descendants of the Old Believers of the imperial period, the Molokans, have been preserved. In Abkhazia, the Russian population lives in Sukhum and the Gagra region, there are practically no places of compact residence. In Abkhazia and Armenia, there is a high degree of socio-cultural adaptation of Russians to the titular majority. In Abkhazia, along with the state Abkhazian, Russian is recognized as the language of state and other institutions, and plays an important administrative role. In Armenia, the Russian language does not have an official status and serves as the language of interethnic communication. In both countries, the Russian language is represented in the media, and television channels are broadcast in Russian. Despite the difficulties faced by compatriots, they managed to maintain their national identity. A major role in this was played by the Russian state policy to support compatriots abroad and the efforts of the authorities of Abkhazia and Armenia