The theme of joining Russia in the literature of the peoples of Siberia in the 1950s–1980s

Abstract

The article examines the features of the embodiment of the theme of joining Russia in the literature of the peoples of Siberia in the 1950s–1980s in the context of state memory policy of this period. The research materials are the works of Altai, Buryat, Khakass and Yakut literature. The research is based on the theory and methodology of comparative literature, as well as on the theory of cultural and historical memory. It has been established that the appearance of the theme of joining Russia in the literature of the peoples of Siberia in the 1950s–1980s was associated with the memory politics of this period. At this time, the basis of the national histories of the peoples of the USSR was the concept of friendship of peoples, within the framework of which special attention was paid to the idea of the voluntary entry of indigenous peoples into Russia, which brought them various benefits and became the basis for further national development. The appearance of the first literary works on this topic in the literature of Siberia dates back to the time of anniversary celebrations in honor of the anniversaries of the voluntary entry of local peoples into Russia, which proves the connection between these phenomena. It is also known that in the writing community since the 1950s the directive was spread to pay special attention to the theme of friendship of peoples and the positive role of Russia and Russians in the history of the peoples of Siberia. Within literary discourse, this idea was embodied in works of various genres: historical poems, plays, novels dedicated to the era of annexation to Russia, as well as in a number of poems glorifying the patriotism of the peoples of Siberia and the beneficial influence of the Russian state and Russian culture on their historical destiny. These works are characterised by an appeal to historical facts, which in Soviet times were interpreted as a manifestation of the friendship of the peoples of Siberia with Russia, as well as to folklore legends, interpreted in the same vein. All these works can be considered as a kind of hypertext, formed in the literature of Siberia in the 1950s–1980s around the theme of joining Russia and reflecting the corresponding trend in the politics of memory of this period.