Celebratory Image of the 1000-Year-Old City in the Newspaper «Vechernyaya Kazan’» (From the Late 1990s to the First Half of the 2000s)

Abstract

This article explores how «Vechernyaya Kazan’» (‘Evening Kazan’), a socio-political newspaper specializing in urban affairs, shaped the celebratory image of Kazan for its 1000th anniversary by publishing a variety of multi-genre materials in the late 1990s–early 2000s. For the first time, the vital and informative role of «Vechernyaya Kazan’» in documenting the city’s transformation in anticipation of the celebration held on August 24th–30th, 2005 is shown. The newspaper did not only cover the changes in the urban landscape–their scenarios, progress, and results, but also was actively engaged itself in these events, emphasizing to the general public the importance of both the city’s anniversary and the preparations involved. In addition to spotlighting the official commemorative sites, «Vechernyaya Kazan’» showcased numerous public initiatives and efforts aimed to make the city more comfortable. Particular attention is paid to the newspaper’s interactive features, which contributed significantly to its success.