Historical Past and Historical-Cultural Heritage of Buryats as Reflected in Journal ‘Sibirskie Ogni’ (1920s-1980s): Memory Politics Aspect

Abstract

The aim of the article is to characterize representations of the history and historicalcultural heritage of the Buryats in the pages of the Sibirskie Ogni journal from the early 1920s to the late 1980s in the context of state memory politics. The methodological framework of the study was the field of “Memory Studies.” Conclusions were drawn about the intense ideologization of the historical past of the Buryats on the pages of the Sibirskie Ogni journal at all stages of the Soviet period, as well as the journal's disregard for Buryat heritage associated with the traditions of Buddhist East. Six stages of representation were identified. In the first stage (1920s), Buryat authors freely wrote in the journal about Buryat history, expressed historical grievances against Russia, and sought recognition of the value of Buryat historical-cultural heritage. In the second stage (1930s), only articles by Russian authors about Buryat history in a critical tone were published in the journal. In the third stage (1940s-1950s), Sibirskie Ogni journal printed articles with crushing criticism of inconvenient versions of Buryat history presented in national literature. In the fourth stage (1960s-1970s), Buryat history was not discussed at all in the journal. In the fifth stage (1980s), a flourishing of Buryat culture was proclaimed under the influence of Soviet leadership. After the collapse of the USSR, much was rethought and perceived as a historical mistake. The Sibirskie Ogni journal began publishing articles again on Buryat literary traditions, epic poetry, etc.