Peculiarities of the formation and transformation of cultural landscape of the historical settlements of Onezhskoye Pomorye

Abstract

The object of this research is the historical,-cultural and natural environment of historical settlements of the Russian North. The subject of this research is the traditional dwelling as a factor of formation and transformation of the cultural landscape of Onezhskoye Pomorye. The goal lies in studying the peculiarities of formation and transformation of cultural landscape of the rural settlements Onezhskoye Pomorye based on the material of traditional dwelling. The research relies on the empirical data acquired in the course of expedition of the Scientific Center for Traditional Culture and Museum Practices of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences to Onezhsky District of Arkhangelsk Region (2018–2021);archival sources of A.V. Shchusev State Museum of Architecture (Moscow), experience of exploring the monuments of wooden architecture of the open-air museum “Malye Korely” (Arkhangelsk Region). The data were obtained by photofixation of the architectural monuments, schematic measurements, and ethnographic survey conducted among local residents using the method of interview. The research employs the original methodology developed by the Doctor of Culturology A. B. Permilovskaya on the architectural-ethnographic exploration of the sites of wooden architecture. Cultural landscape of Onezhskoye Pomorye (and the Russian North overall) primarily is the landscape of rural historical settlements. Northern settlements emerged in close connection with the natural landscape and transformed it into a cultural one. Special role in this process was played by the local population – the Pomors, who were guided by the principles of creating compact settlements, with closed type of dwelling to due to the harsh climate. The adaptive capabilities of traditional dwelling, reflected in its architectural design, allowed the people to survive in the severe conditions of the North. The dwelling is a reflection of natural space of the Russian North and the Arctic, passed through the “prism” of local mentality and carpenter's culture, coexistence of man and the surrounding natural environment, special marker of the North Russian identity, and intrinsic part of the North Russian cultural landscape.