The problem of the Slavs unity in the age of globalization on the basis of common cultural background and mentality

Abstract

One of the most crucial issues of the modern Slavic world is unity. The roots of this problem lie deep in the past. Slavs are nowadays separated from each other by not only state frontiers, but also by membership in different military alliances and political coalitions. Slavs have claims against each other concerning territorial, economic, confessional, historical and cultural matters. The situation in the Slavic world has become more complicated after the breakup of two largest countries with mainly Slavic population-the USSR (1991) and Yugoslavia (1999-2008). The termination of the Warsaw Pact caused the pivot of the Communist bloc, including Slavic countries, towards the West. The terrible events in the Ukraine after the 'colour-coded' revolution in 2014 has led to a civil war in which Slavs killed each other. Amidst these events, it is worth mentioning friendly contacts between Serbia and Russia. Over many centuries, people of these countries displayed fidelity to fraternal duty and fought against the same enemies side by side during the years of World War I and World War II. After the USSR break up, Belarus and Russia created the Union State, based on common history and culture and still have active contacts. The article deals with the key problem of the modern Slavic world-the preservation of culture in the age of globalization. The author of the article believes that only joint efforts of all Slavs can help them keep traditions and pass the experience of scientific cognition of the world and its imaginative perception, reflected in national arts, to future generations. As has been demonstrated historically, only mutual support helped Slavs overcome difficulties and achieve goals. With the help of Russia, the South Slavs got freedom from Turkish yoke; during World War II, Slavic people from occupied countries fought together with the Red Forces against Hitler's Army and won. Globalization is an inevitable consequence of technological progress. Active economic, political and cultural contacts among countries lead to the constriction of areas where small peoples' languages are used. All of this can cause the death of their cultures. The common heritage of Cyril and Methodius, Christian religion, affinities of language and culture, common ethical values and similar crucial concepts are the base for Slavic unity. Similar features in Serbian, Russian and Ukrainian slogans with element 'unity' demonstrate the actuality of the question.