Archival Material Research Articles

PAGINE D’ARCHIVIO. LA LETTERATURA ROMENA NEI PIANI EDITORIALI DELLA CASA UTET

Developed starting from some archive materials, this contribution intends to propose a first synthetic reconstruction of the interest shown by the editorial directors of the UTET publishing house towards Romanian literature. The papers preserved in the archive did not perhaps provide many details on the literary translations published in the well-known book series I Grandi Scrittori Stranieri, but they reveal some nineteenthand twentieth-century projects, “missed opportunities”, which, alongside the publications, allow us to better frame interests and editorial plans of the publishing house.

Introduction

Abstract The Third International Süleymaniye Symposium explored the Köprülü Era (1656-1710) in Ottoman history, emphasizing new sources and approaches. Scholars from Turkey, Europe, and the U.S. convened to examine the Köprülü grand viziers’ careers and times. In the current special focus section, Yasir Yılmaz, Halef Cevrioğlu, Elizabeth Lobenwein, Georg B. Michels, and Christopher Whitehead offer innovative perspectives, drawing on brand new archival material. We advocate for a comparative approach to the Ottoman grand vizierate, highlight the significance of Habsburg archives in Ottomanist scholarship, debunk new short-term and long-term historical dimensions in the making of the family, and ask new questions about how we should interpret the Köprülü expansionism.

Казахская народная музыка в саксофонных произведениях композиторов Казахстана

This article is about studying the saxophone works of Kazakh composers Arthur Orenburgsky, Alibi Abdinurov and Yulia Lebedeva, based on Kazakh folk music. These compositions have become an important part of the performing and pedagogical practice of saxophonists in Kazakhstan, and they are regularly performed at major concert venues, festivals and competitions. The purpose of the work is to study the process of creating compositions, their role in the formation of the national repertoire and the development of performing practice, as well as to identify the characteristic features in style and performance technique.The authors use various methods in their research: complex approach, including analytical and historical that includes collection and exploration of archival material, as well as anthropological method like interviews with Kazakh composers and teachers of saxophone class of the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory.The study revealed the main musical characteristics of saxophone compositions corresponding to Kazakh traditional music: metrical freedom, improvisation, uniqueness of rhythm, shaping and timbre. The studied works represent the authors’ reinterpretation of traditional primary sources, through imitation of rhythmic elements of dombra playing and sound production characteristic of folk wind instruments. These elements define the national color in music and can be considered as “ethnic identity”.From a practical point of view, this work will be useful for musicians, teachers and researchers interested in the synthesis of folk and contemporary music, unique stylistic features and new possibilities of using the saxophone in Kazakh musical culture.

State Regulation of the Salt Industry on the Astrakhan Salt Lakes in the First Half of the 19th Century

Introduction. Based on the materials of the State Archive of the Astrakhan region, which were first introduced into scientific circulation, the issues of salt extraction by the Kalmyks and its transportation by state peasants and Tatars on the Astrakhan salt lakes in the first half of the 19th century are highlighted. Methods and materials. The research is based on both published and unpublished sources. Analysis. The role of the state in organizing the selection of salt lakes, determining the amount of salt extracted and its transportation, hiring labor, remuneration, catering, and supply issues is analyzed. It was revealed that in the Astrakhan province, in addition to state-owned salt extraction, work was carried out on lakes owned by private salt producers, with the mandatory conclusion of a contract with the Astrakhan Salt Board and their payment of excise duty. Attention is focused on the rules developed by the Astrakhan Commission of Kalmyk Affairs for Kalmyks who were employed in government and private jobs. Results. Increased centralization and regulation of the organization of the salt business on the salt lakes of the Astrakhan province by the state was expressed in the identification of specific lakes for salt extraction, the organization of labor for its extraction, storage, and transportation, the establishment of wages, the price of sold salt, and the attraction of salt industrialists. It was aimed at increasing the Treasury’s income from the extraction and sale of Astrakhan salt. The contribution of the authors. Identification, collection, and processing of documents from the State Archive of the Astrakhan region were carried out by M.M. Khairlapova; preparation of sections of the article; and analysis of the process of organizing the salt industry by T.V. Yudina.

Muslims in Interwar Vienna: The Making and Failing of a Community

This article explores the making of a unified Muslim community in interwar Austria and its ultimate failure. It argues that while the Islamischer Kulturbund Wien represented a visionary idea which aimed at establishing a Muslim community, rooted in both faith and Austrian society, it ultimately remained the dream of only a select few individuals. The association succeeded in strategically positioning itself as the representative body of Muslims in Austria; however, due to a lack of commitment from its members and the rise of fascism in Austria, this early attempt to establish a unified Muslim community in Austria eventually failed. By incorporating unofficial sources in various languages, including private letters, oral history interviews, and newspapers, alongside official archival material, the article amplifies the voice, perspective and agency of key Muslim figures involved, allowing for a more fully developed understanding of the internal and external dynamics of Muslim activism in interwar Vienna.

ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТЬ ПРОДОТРЯДОВ И ПРОДАРМИИ В САРАТОВСКОЙ ГУБЕРНИИ В 1918 ГОДУ

The purpose of the article is to investigate the causes, the legal basis of the activities of Food Detachments and Food armies, as well as the tasks assigned to them to seize surplus grain in villages. The scientific novelty of the study is the insufficient knowledge of the activities of Food Detachments and Food armies in the Saratov province. The study uses the main methods of scientific and historical cognition, such as: descriptive, comparative historical, logical, analysis of archival materials. As a result of the study, it was revealed that in 1918, the cities under the control of the Soviet government were threatened with famine, despite the fact that there was bread in the agricultural provinces. But the peasants did not willingly hand it over, due to the unsettled system of commodity exchange between the village and the city. Based on this circumstance, the Soviet government decided to forcibly withdraw bread from the villages. The solution of this issue was entrusted to the workers of the Food Detachments and the Red Army soldiers of the Food Army, however, despite the common tasks, their activities were distinguished by the fact that the Food detachments took part of the harvested bread for themselves, and the Soldiers handed over everything to the state.

The Opinio Juris and Opinio Moris in the Anglo-American Interventions During the Greek Civil War: An Archival Study of Legal Narratives

Abstract This article investigates the British and American interventions in Greece during the Greek Civil War, examining their legal and moral justifications. Using archival documents, the study uncovers two primary layers of discourse: the official diplomatic language of opinio juris (conviction of legality) and opinio moris (conviction of morality), alongside the covert political interests that drove these interventions. The research argues that British and American actions were primarily motivated by a ‘conviction of interest,’ with legal and moral narratives used tactically to justify their interventions. The archival materials reveal a notable lack of empathy and understanding from British and American officials regarding the trauma endured by the Greek populace due to the German occupation and collaborationist violence. Additionally, there was a significant neglect of the will of the Greek people. The study critically examines the Caserta and Civil Affairs Agreements, which provided a legal basis for British intervention, arguing that these agreements, when viewed in light of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, fail to justify the extent of foreign interference, thus questioning the authenticity of Greek consent. The article also explores the transition from British to American dominance in Greek affairs. As Britain faced economic constraints after the end of WWII, it ceded its role to the U.S., leading to the formulation of the Truman Doctrine and the implementation of the Marshall Plan. The U.S. intervention is analyzed through legal and geopolitical lenses, revealing a strategic focus on preventing communist expansion rather than providing purely legal or moral support for Greece’s recovery. Similar to British actions, American involvement often overlooked the political situation and the will of the Greek people, thereby contributing to prolonged instability.

The Paradox of Sanctuary: How Punitive Exceptions Converge to Criminalize and Punish Latinos/as

Abstract Sanctuary cities define themselves as metropoles that refuse to share information, personnel, and facilities with federal immigration authorities to police immigrants. While research suggests that sanctuary cities contest the criminalization of migration, a growing literature depicts how these urban sanctuaries could, in practice, perpetuate hierarchies and exclusionary politics against noncitizens. Yet, most of these studies conceive of urban sanctuary as local policies designed to challenge federal power and, thus, fail to fully capture how sanctuary policies could actually rely on the criminalization of migration to govern cities’ political problems. Drawing upon 1,900 pages of archival materials and 100 newspaper articles, this article takes the case of Chicago to study how and why the urban sanctuary expands immigrants’ rights while reinforcing policing with punitive implications for Latino “undeserving” noncitizens. As a form of racialized governance, I argue that Chicago’s sanctuary policies activate a set of punitive exceptions that—in response to distinct political urgencies—allow law and immigration enforcement to converge and control Latino undocumented workers, “criminals,” and “gangs.” This study not only challenges the premise that sanctuary cities necessarily resist federal power but also illustrates how they could strengthen the legitimacy of the state and racialized police power.

The Paradox of Documentary Fiction or Fictional Documentary in a Biopic Film Compilation About a Film Actor

This study focuses mainly on the genre of biographical compilation in the context of development of the compilation film form in Slovakia after 1989. The author analyses current creative approaches in creating biographical compilations or compilations with biographical motifs. His main interest is the application of film collage techniques by those documentary directors who work with appropriated audiovisual and archival materials. He explores the crossing of authenticity and fiction based on the case study of the biographical compilation film Countdown - The Last Film of Ivan Palúch (Odpočítavanie - posledný film Ivana Palúcha, dir. Martin Palúch, 2022). This feature film is a unique example of a biopic about the career and life of a film actor.

What investors want from whom: international organizations and the International Association for the Promotion and the Protection of Private Foreign Investments (APPI) 1958–1974

Abstract Using archival material from states, international organizations, and business actors, this paper explores how the Association for the Promotion and Protection of Private Foreign Investments (APPI), a transnational business interest association (BIA), liaised with different international institutions to lobby for better foreign investment protection. We zoom in on the United Nations, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the World Bank to examine how APPI influenced the global institutional landscape during its heydays from 1958 until 1974. We show that business actors, particularly oil and banking corporations, created APPI as a nimble, efficient alliance that could move faster than existing BIAs. We further demonstrate how companies “forum shop” between different BIAs, and how APPI injected its ideas into the policymaking process, using the framework of the three faces of power. By shedding light on the role private business actors played in foreign investor protection, the paper contributes to a better understanding of the emergence of global economic governance in the second half of the 20th century.

Pushkin's Pages of Boris Vasiliev's Historical and Autobiographical Novels (Based on the Novel «The Player and the Brether, the Player and the Duellist»)

The subject of the article is the image of Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin as a source of unique information within the boundaries of the writer's biography, allowing to conduct historically reliable literary research and to put forward a new assumption about the prototype of the hero of the work. The novel «The Player and the Brether, the Player and the Duellist», which opens the Oleksin cycle of B.L. Vasiliev's works, was taken as a material for analysis. A characteristic feature of the «Oleksin saga» is a complex, branched system of characters. Thanks to the study of «Pushkin's» plot line of the novel it was possible to put forward an assumption about the prototype of the hero of the work and to prove it, relying on archival materials of correspondence of A.S. Pushkin and his contemporaries. The problem of the prototype of the hero of the novel was addressed by V.A. Karnyushin, whose creative interest in this issue is due to the original ending of the novel. The aim of the study is to determine the prototype of the novel's hero.

CANNING PRODUCTION OF “ZHELRYBAˮ IN 1923–1929

The article is devoted to a little-studied topic – the canning production of “Zhelrybaˮ (abbreviation of the Russian words “ZHELeznaya dorogaˮ, railway, and “rybaˮ, fish). The source base is the materials of the periodical press of 1923-1929 and unpublished materials of the central and local (Murmansk) archives. The article attempts to identify the economic and technical features associated with the production of canned food of “Zhelrybaˮ enterprise. Based on extensive archival material, the specifics of canned food production at the enterprise associated with the colonisation of Kola Peninsula, the range of products produced, as well as economic indicators of the effectiveness of the canning production of the enterprise, are studied. Data on possible options for a different geographical location of the enterprise’s production facilities are provided, with an economic justification of the pros and cons of certain localities. The author concludes that “Zhelrybaˮ was able to start industrial production of high-quality canned food from scratch and at the same time contribute to the economic development of those areas where its production was located.

Sustainable Spatial Development of Multifunctional Villages: A Case Study of Eastern Poland

The decline in the role of agriculture as the basis for the livelihood of rural residents has led to the development of new directions for rural transformation. In Poland, the concept of multifunctional development has gained the most popularity. However, it does not have a defined spatial development model. There has also been no research into how the development of non-agricultural functions affects spatial development and to what extent this development is sustainable. Therefore, the aim of this study is to show and compare the changes that have taken place over the last 40–50 years in the spatial arrangements of development in traditional agricultural villages and in villages with different non-agricultural functions (tourist, industrial, and service functions). At the same time, we want to indicate which of these functions have contributed to the development of the most sustainable spatial arrangements. To this end, we selected three indicators of sustainable development of rural space: compactness of buildings, continuation of traditional rural layouts, and availability of services, and then carried out an analysis of changes in these indicators on the basis of archival and current cartographic materials and data on service facilities. We conducted the research for four municipalities in eastern Poland (50 villages). The results indicate the predominance of negative spatial phenomena such as the deterioration of the accessibility of services and spatial development contrary to historical spatial layouts. There is a spillover of development in the form of discontinuous, chaotic clusters of buildings often having the character of suburbia and, consequently, the disappearance of village centres, worsening walkability, and blurring of village boundaries. The only positive change is an increase in the compactness of buildings—mainly in villages that previously had a dispersed character. It is difficult to identify village functions that would unequivocally favour spatial sustainability. The service villages showed slight advantages in terms of social (availability of services) and environmental (compactness of buildings) factors. In contrast, the development of agricultural villages was more favourable in cultural terms (traditional village layouts). In all aspects, negative changes were recorded in industrial villages and (the worst results) in tourist villages. However, the trends were similar in all municipalities, which draws attention primarily to the lack of a rational spatial policy related to multifunctional village development.

What Counts as Religion? A Study of Federal Endorsing Agencies as Hiring Gatekeepers

What counts as religion, and does the state perpetuate labor stratification on the basis of religion? The labor stratification literature suggests that employers often perpetuate gendered, racial, and socioeconomic inequality in hiring, but in this case study of state-appointed endorsing agencies, findings suggest that the federal government—a primary chaplain employer—perpetuates stratification by religion. Given the institutional separation of church and state, the state technically does not interfere with the free practice of religion or in constructing religion, but because federal sectors like the military, veterans affairs, and federal prisons require chaplains, the state appoints and recognizes specific groups—endorsing agencies—to vet and evaluate the preparation of chaplains to serve in these federal roles. Endorsing agencies thus act as state-appointed gatekeepers in a system set up by the state that has no clear change mechanism for expanding the number and type of religious endorsing agencies, resulting in the exclusion of religious groups in hiring. Drawing on qualitative data from endorsing agencies and complementary archival material, we argue that the state plays a role in setting up a system that both shapes and perpetuates labor stratification by religion. We conclude by discussing the implications for scholarship on religion, inequality, and labor stratification.

Historical review of inclusive educational theories through digital archives

Introduction: This study is framed in the field of social inclusion of people with disabilities, following the guidelines of the United Nations Convention (2006) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. The main objective is to provide a historical overview of inclusive theories to undestand their social impact and their application in the educational field. Methodology: The methodology is qualitative and is approached from a hermeneutic-interpretative perspective, based on the analysis of bibliographic and documentary sources. Results: Among the results obtained, the sources found and the organisations that advocate for the social model of functional diversity stand out. However, for its actual implementation, more support resources are required in the educational sphere. Discussions: The digitization of archival materials demonstrates that knowledge becomes accessible when adapted to an open publication format, which can be accessed anywhere. Conclusions: The creation of an open-access learning resource repository is another inclusive measure proposed, to share adapted materials. Following the principles of the SDGs, a successful sustainable development program is achieved by creating partnerships with civil society and promoting initiatives that reduce inequalities.

A family enterprise: The Shonubis of Ikorodu, 1919–1949

Abstract The impact of the Shonubi family on the economic and commercial interrelations between the Ikorodu district and Lagos during the colonial period is indelible. Two prominent personalities, a mother and her son, distinguished themselves in trade, commerce, agro-allied and the transportation sub-sectors of the economy by harnessing indigenous entrepreneurial ingenuity. The mother, Patricia Efun, was not only the «king of women» in the traditional political realm, but she was also indeed a leader in other dimensions. The son, Joseph Shonubi (popularly known as Owolowo), took the opportunity of his mercantile background to make a mark in the business world. However, apart from the personal and family benefits, their entrepreneurial exploits contributed to laying the foundation of post-colonial economic developments in Ikorodu and Lagos. This paper highlights the connections between family wealth and entrepreneurial exploits in the colonial Ikorodu district of the Lagos Colony. It is based on archival materials, oral interviews and newspaper reportage among others.

Palestinian Lone Assailants, 2015–2023: Suicide, Legitimacy Communities and Duped Attackers

The article explores the main social, political and technological drivers that shaped the phenomenon of Palestinian lone assailants from 2015 to early 2023. The unprecedented number of attacks during this period provides a wealth of evidence based on Palestinian and Israeli media sources as well as new archival materials that allows for a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon. The evidenced drivers include the emergence of a young generation with new social and political perspectives; the impact of social media on the assailants’ sources of legitimacy and modes of operation; the notable prominence of personal motivations, and; the covert strategies Palestinian organizations are utilizing to deal with these shifts.

Making Country Proud: The Role of Athletics in the Development of Eldoret City, Kenya

This study examined the impact of athletics on the development of Eldoret City from 1920-2020. The study was informed by the need to discuss in detail and document the development of athletics among the Kalenjin community in Kenya. To realize the above, the study utilized Social Constructivism and Self-efficacy theories. The study was guided by one objective: the development and impact of athletics among the Kalenjin community in Kenya from 1920 through 2020. The literature reviewed, global, regional, and local, helped identify the knowledge gap, hence the study’s justification. The philosophical paradigm that anchored this study is constructivist philosophy. The study is qualitative and has an applied historical research design. The sampling procedure entailed using purposive and snowball sampling to arrive at knowledgeable informants. The sample size of 20 informants was determined by saturation. Data collected was from primary and secondary sources. Primary sources entailed archival materials such as artefacts and photographs, while unstructured interview schedules were used to collect oral data. The secondary sources were the books, theses, journals, magazines, and newspapers. Using the qualitative method, the study analyzed data thematically and presented the findings through narration, direct quotes and descriptive texts. Photographs were also used to present the findings. According to the research findings, the Kalenjin community had traditional sports activities, primarily athletics. The thrust of the athletics was reminiscent of their cultural aspirations. Further, the study established that the development of athletics grew gradually in phases marked by the arrival of the European colonialists, the internationalization of sports in the 1950s and the emergence of Kenya as a world athletics player. The study additionally found that scholarship, employment opportunities, and acquisition of wealth through diverse investments are evident in Eldoret City. The town has recently grown into the 5th Kenyan City following a significant economic contribution from the athletics arena. The rise of the Kalenjin diaspora and the attraction of multinationals to local athletics constitute substantial socioeconomic and political impacts on athletics among the Kalenjin. The study thus recommends that the government improve funding for sports and fully implement the existing laws and policies

Migration Processes and East and Southeast Lithuania (1960–1980)

Based on archival and historiographical material, the author of the article examines the problem of migration in 1960–1980 in east and southeast Lithuania with the aim of answering the following questions: whether the east and southeast of the Republic of Lithuania was an attractive area for the residents of other districts of Lithuania and other Soviet republics to settle down in; what factors, causes and circumstances attracted them to the region; how migration processes affected the ethnic and demographic situation in the region; and whether the then administrative territorial reforms were favourable to the residents of this region.

Academic filmmaking and its discontents

Working with the same filmed material from the perspective of anthropology and screen studies, the authors discuss their disciplines’ different approaches to academic filmmaking. This article presents two videos, Filming Out Loud and Whose Stories, made from the same raw footage shot by the two authors together at the garage Cedric Motors, situated close to Manchester University, UK, where they were taking a summer course in ethnographic filmmaking at the Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology in June 2022. After spending seven days at the garage, filming the workdays of the owner Pat Rafter and his main employee (who wishes to remain unnamed), this raw material was then edited separately by each author. Producing points of methodological comparison between videographic criticism working with “an archive of moving images and sounds” (Keathley and Mittell 2019) and the culturally situated “encounters with alterity” enacted through ethnographic filmmaking (Cox et al. 2016), the authors engage with the methodological differences and commonalities between their two disciplines and filmmaking practices. By focusing on how the unpredictability of ethnographic fieldwork generated a rethinking of received conventions, interdisciplinary collaboration in visual research is here framed as an opportunity for a “transmutation of sensibilities” (Csordas 2007) bringing into question both videographic criticism’s imperative of critical thinking articulated audiovisually (generally on archival material) and visual anthropology’s observational legacy. Scraping at the weld between disciplinary received knowledge, the authors reflect on the positionality and ethics of their research and on the task of elaborating a filmic narrative while accounting for different social or cultural worlds