ETHNIC IDENTITY: VIEWS OF RESIDENTS OF A LARGE CITY ON RUSSIAN ETHNOS

Abstract

On the basis of a sociological study, the article considers the views of the population of a large industrial city on ethnic identity. The survey was conducted in 2019 in the city of Yekaterinburg. The methods of collecting information were online survey (n = 259) and in-depth interviews (n = 16). The results of the study indicate that the concept of Russians (as an ethnic group), both among foreign ethnic groups and among citizens who attribute themselves to Russians, is determined on the basis of cultural and historical facts. According to the respondents, the main characteristics defining the “Russian character” are openness, friendliness, hospitality, kindness, simplicity, and straightforwardness. Interviewees who identify themselves as belonging to the Russian people form a positive image of the Russian person, and representatives of other ethnic groups note ethnic traits such as sullenness, severity, unfriendliness, selfishness. Ethnic identity is actualized in a foreign language environment and contributes to the affirmation of belonging to Russian culture, primarily through the preservation of the Russian language, as well as the reproduction of everyday practices and event actions that demonstrate differences from other ethnic communities and involvement in Russians as an ethno-national education.