Cultural Figures Research Articles

Unveiling social realities: A Marxist analysis of Rene Eune Ponte’s balak

The research employs the Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework within the Marxist literary approach to examine selected balak (poetry) from Rene Eune Pueblos Ponte's collection Hagawhaw sa Salibagjaw. Ponte, a prominent cultural figure in the Bohol School of Living Traditions, Bohol, Philippines captures the socio-political realities of his community through poetry. The study focuses on five balak selected based on Marxist criteria, emphasizing their reflection on class struggle, ideology, and socio-economic disparities. Using CDA, the research dissects the linguistic and thematic elements of the balak, revealing how language conveys power dynamics and class ideologies. The analysis identifies recurring Marxist themes: alienation, corruption, poverty, inequality, and social injustice. These themes illustrate Ponte’s critique of systemic oppression while resonating with broader socio-political conditions in the Philippines. Findings demonstrate that Ponte’s balak are cultural artifacts encapsulating collective struggles and aspirations. His poetic imagery and stylistic devices articulate the lived experiences of marginalized communities, fostering critical consciousness among readers. The study bridges literary analysis with societal critique, emphasizing the relevance of Marxist literary criticism in understanding regional literature. Ponte's verses become a vehicle for collective introspection, offering insights into the poet's and his community's societal challenges. This research contributes to appreciating Boholano literature by providing insights into societal issues embedded in local poetic traditions. It advocates for including regional literary works in the curriculum, enriching cultural understanding and critical thinking while shedding light on enduring societal issues in the Philippines that resonate with the Marxist themes found in Ponte's poetry.

FORMATION OF NATIONAL IDENTITY IN TEACHING HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL DISCIPLINES IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

The article analyzes the main methods, forms, and means of teaching historical and cultural disciplines that contribute to the formation of national identity among Ukrainian higher education students. It has been found that a modern approach to teaching historical and cultural disciplines is the use of such effective forms of organizing learning as museum lectures and visualization lectures, independent work with sources by students, and the implementation of educational projects. It has been established that the teaching of historical and cultural disciplines plays an important role in shaping national identity. The effectiveness of this process depends on many factors, such as the competence of teachers, the use of innovative teaching methods, the availability of modern educational materials, as well as the involvement of students in research and community activities. The task of the teacher is to provide students with a comprehensive analysis of the historical and cultural heritage of the chosen period, highlighting the most productive moments in the intellectual development of humanity. This can be facilitated by working with sources of information about outstanding figures in Ukrainian history and culture who, at different times, contributed to the formation of a national state and the glorification of Ukraine in the world. The formation of Ukrainian identity among higher education students is also facilitated by debunking myths artificially created and actively promoted by Russian propaganda. Therefore, special attention in the educational process should be paid to combating fakes. The popularization of modern Ukrainian-language educational content in theteaching process is also of great importance. The conclusions of the study confirm that the teaching of historical and cultural disciplines is one of the most important tools for shaping national identity. By investing in the development of this area, we contribute to strengthening Ukrainian statehood and the formation of civil society. Based on the results obtained, a number of practical recommendations have been formulated to improve the process of teaching historical and cultural disciplines in Ukrainian higher education institutions. In particular, it is proposed to develop new curricula that take into account modern challenges and societal needs, as well as to create a system for monitoring the effectiveness of teaching historical and cultural disciplines.

THE INFLUENCE OF THE SOVIET-COMMUNIST IDEOLOGICAL HERITAGE ON THE CIVILIZATIONAL CHOICE OF UKRAINE IN THE 1990 S

The article analyzes the influence of the Soviet-communist ideological legacy on the civilizational choice of Ukraine in the 1990s, a period when the country was undergoing transformation after gaining independence. The author considers how Soviet values, traditions and socio-economic models influenced the formation of new political and cultural identities. Key aspects are examined, in particular, the preservation of elements of the Soviet system in governance, economy and public life, as well as their impact on public consciousness. The preservation of elements of the Soviet system in the governance of Ukraine in the 1990s was a noticeable phenomenon that had a significant impact on thepolitical and socio-economic development of the country after gaining independence. Many former Soviet officials remained in their positions, which led to the preservation of old management practices. This included centralized management, bureaucracy and lack of transparency in decision-making.The article also focuses on the conflict between the desire for European integration and attempts to preserve Soviet traditions. In Ukraine, there was a constant conflict between the desire for European integration and attempts to preserve Soviet traditions. This conflict was manifested in political movements, social protests and the general discourse on national identity. The article highlights the challenges faced by the Ukrainian state in the process of forming a new identity, as well as the role of civil society in overcoming the legacy of the past. Civil society in Ukraine in the 1990s played an important role in overcoming the legacy of the Soviet past and shaping a new political, social andeconomic reality. Various cultural, educational and outreach organizations actively worked to popularize the Ukrainian language, culture and history. Thus, civil society in Ukraine in the 1990s became an important factor in overcoming the Soviet legacy, contributing to the development of democracy, human rights and social justice. His activity and influence left a noticeable mark on the formation of modernUkrainian statehood.In the 1990s, Ukraine was experiencing a period of profound transformations, accompanied by the search for a new identity after gaining independence. The role of culture in this process was extremely important, since it became one of the main tools for forming national consciousness and overcoming the ideological legacy of the Soviet past. An important aspect of the cultural process was the critical understanding of the Soviet legacy. Cultural figures began to speak openly about repression, censorship and other negative aspects of the Soviet period. This allowed society to realize the traumas of the past and begin to overcome them.Special attention was paid to the public space of Ukraine. The public space of Ukraine in the 1990s was the scene of significant changes and transformations, reflecting the political, social and cultural transformations in the country after gaining independence in 1991.The conclusions of the article emphasize the importance of awareness of the heritage of the past for the successful development of modern Ukraine and its European integration.

Видный российский педагог И. Н. Жуков: «Любите Родину, боритесь за неё и будьте первыми в труде!»

The purpose of the study is to characterize the pedagogical activity of a prominent Russian teacher of the first half of the 20th century Innokenty Nikolaevich Zhukov (1875-1948) on the organization of the scout and pioneer movement in Russia. The study presents the circumstances of the emergence of scouting in Russia, and then the pioneer movement. Little-known facts of Zhukov's biography are established. The content of his organizational, literary and creative (in the field of sculpture) work is revealed. Innokenty Nikolaevich's contribution to each of these fields of activity is assessed. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the introduction into scientific circulation of little-known factual material relating to the initial period of development of scouting in Russia, and subsequently the pioneer organization. The results of the research are disclosure of little-known facts of Zhukov's biography, assessment of his pedagogical projects in the field of education of children and adolescents, analysis of his multifaceted organizational and practical educational activities. Zhukov is also shown as a writer and cultural figure who, through his work, contributed to solving the tasks of educating the younger generation that were relevant for his time. The text includes statements about him by famous contemporaries (O. Rodin, A. V. Lunacharsky, A.M. Gorky) and teachers (A. V. Vakhtin, E. Ya. Grobin, I. I. Zhukova-Plotnikova). The study is dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the birth of I. N. Zhukov.

Cultural disaster: A threat to the preservation of Minangkabau culture

Culture is something essential and a marker of the identity of an ethnic group. Therefore, culture must always be part of human life. However, due to various factors, the culture of a tribe is often neglected and which lead to cultural disasters. In this regard, this study examined cultural disaster in Minangkabau. The study used a qualitative and quantitative approach. The respondents were the younger generation of Minangkabau who were studying at university. Discussions with cultural figures, religious leaders, educators, and community leaders were also conducted to know their perspectives on cultural disasters. The study results showed that there has indeed been a shift in Minangkabau cultural values which could lead to a cultural disaster. The lack of instilling cultural values and the ignorance of the collective awareness regarding the importance of knowledge and implementation of cultural values lead to a cultural disaster. The result of the study indicated a potential threat of a cultural disaster in Minangkabau, as indicated by the lack of basic knowledge of the young generation about cultural values in Minangkabau expressions, kinship terms, traditional arts, and culinary. The learning process of Minangkabau cultures can be one of the ways to anticipate the Minangkabau cultural disaster.

THE CREATIVE WORLD OF GEVORG DEVRIKYAN

The present article presents the general description of the creative work of Gevorg Devrikyan, one of the original figures of the new period of Armenian prose of the 20th century. The article provides an overview of the works of writers of the 1960-80s, indicates their place and role in the Armenian literature, as well as highlights the significance of the creative work of Gevorg Devrikyan. The connection between G. Devrikyan’s works and outstanding figures of the Armenian culture is emphasized, and the problem of aestheticization of history is also presented. The works of the first period of the creative work of the writer, essays and stories, novels and historical novels, the collections of stories on historical and satirical themes are listed, indicating their place and role in the Armenian Soviet prose. Gevorg Devrikyan’s historical novels, which occupy a special place among the Armenian Soviet historical novels, have been also emphasized. The issues raised in these historical novels are relevant and portray the contemporary life. The importance of G. Devrikyan's historical novels, their educational and didactic nature, as well as the vivid manifestation of patriotism in them are emphasized. The article also examines the writer's popular and scientific works, stressing the author's great contribution to this area. When reading popular and scientific works and articles, it is immediately noticeable that they came from the writer’s pen: when considering any issue or phenomenon, in addition to the conclusion itself, artistic summaries are presented here, and the portraits of great figures of the Armenian history and culture develop into artistic images. An important place is given to the work “The Great Armenian Figures”, intended for the readers being interested in the Armenian history, literature and culture. The article also examines the collections of stories based on the medieval evidences. Depicting medieval copyists and manuscript illustrators in almost all of his works, G. Devrikian describes the conditions under which medieval parchment scrolls, tags (chants) and antunis (songs of homeless) were copied and created.

AT THE 10TH ST. PETERSBURG INTERNATIONAL FORUM OF UNITED CULTURES

The article contains information about the 10th Saint Petersburg International Cultural Forum, which took place on September 11–14, 2024; since 2023 it has been called the Forum of United Cultures. At this large-scale event, cultural figures, cultural scientists, representatives of the business community and government bodies discuss current issues and development trends in the international cultural environment. In 2024, at the Forum of United Cultures, the results of ethnographic research by the Center for Humanitarian Problems of the Kola Science Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences were presented for the first time in the framework of the section “Cultural Heritage: Traditions and Modernity” at the panel discussion “Traditions and Culture of Trust: the Road to the Future”.

'Ingsun Titip Tajug Lan Fakir Miskin' Mentifak Culture of Cirebon Ethnicity Studied from the Ethnopedagogical Dimension

This study aims to identify the values of local wisdom in the mentifact culture of the Cirebon Ethnic saying "ingsun titip tajug lan fakir miskin". The research used a qualitative method. Data were collected or extracted using open interview techniques, documentation studies and direct observation of Cirebon cultural heritage sites. Informants include, Cirebon cultural figures, education figures and Cirebon community leaders. The data validation uses triangulation techniques. Triangulation is an approach taken by researchers to explore and perform qualitative data processing techniques. The research resulted in the conclusion that; the expression petatah petitih Cirebon contains local wisdom values; (1) the value of faith and devotion to God Almighty; (2) social values and togetherness, (3) the value of responsibility, and (4) the value of mutual cooperation. These values can be used as learning materials and resources through an ethnopedagogical approach in elementary schools. Recommendations that the expression of petatah petitih 'ingsun titip tajug lan fakir miskin' can be implemented into culture-based learning in the Cirebon ethnic community as an effort to preserve local culture.

Didactic Values in the Gending Text of the Baris Dadap Dance in Adat Batur Village, Bali

The Baris Dadap dance is a sacred dance performed by four to six male dancers, typically staged during the Dewa Yadnya ceremony (a sincere and wholehearted offering to the Almighty God). The Baris Dadap dance has distinctive characteristics that set it apart from other types of Baris dances, particularly in its performance structure, which combines movements and gending (traditional Balinese song), referred to in Balinese as wirama. This study aims to (1) describe the performance form of the Baris Dadap dance and (2) analyze the didactic implications of the gending text in the Baris Dadap dance on the formation of knowledge within the Batur traditional village community in Bali. This research employs a qualitative method with data sources including the Baris Dadap dance performance, dancers, musicians, community elders, cultural figures, and journals related to previous research findings. Structural functional theory and Balinese dance theory are used to analyze all data collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. The results of the study indicate that (1) the performance form of the Baris Dadap dance is built on three main frameworks—dance movements, gending texts sung by the dancers, and accompanying music—with the structure of the performance divided into three parts: the first part called pepeson, the second part called pengadeng, and the third part called pekaad; (2) the didactic values in the gending text of the Baris Dadap dance have implications for the formation of a knowledge system in the aspects of tattwa (philosophy), susila (morality), and upacara (rituals). The new findings of this study reveal that the values embedded in traditional dances and their meanings can serve as a conscious means of imparting human knowledge to achieve physical and spiritual harmony.

The Turun Mani Tradition in Gayo: an Analysis of Hadith on Aqiqah in Central Aceh

This study explores the integration of local traditions within Islam through an examination of the Turun Mani tradition among the Gayo community in Central Aceh. This tradition represents a unique implementation of the Aqiqah ritual, incorporating local cultural elements and reflecting harmony between Islamic teachings and local customs. The research aims to examine the practice of the Turun Mani tradition, understand the Gayo community's perception of hadiths related to Aqiqah, and analyze the quality of the referenced hadiths. Employing a qualitative method with a living hadith approach, this study involves in-depth interviews with selected informants, including religious leaders, cultural figures, and practitioners of the tradition, as well as literature reviews of hadiths and primary texts. The findings reveal that the Turun Mani tradition adapts local cultural elements—such as the Begenap ritual, bathing the newborn with coconut water and kaffir lime, and protective prayers—while preserving the essence of Aqiqah. The Gayo community’s understanding of the hadiths underlying this tradition is largely inherited and lacks critical examination of the hadiths' authenticity. The Turun Mani tradition not only reinforces local wisdom but also supports the primary objectives of Maqāṣid al-Syarī‘ah, such as protecting faith, life, lineage, and intellect. Despite challenges posed by modernization, the tradition endures as a manifestation of harmony between religion and culture. This research contributes to the study of living hadith and the relationship between Islam and local traditions in Indonesia.

Inside the Lives of Comedians — Or Not: Signs of Constructedness and Referentiality in Stand-Up Comedy

Stand-up comedians, as public figures in a digitalised world, are necessitated to react to an increasing demand for authenticity in their performances. Arguably, this demand is a reaction to an increase in post-truth sentiments in contemporary media culture. Using two performances as case studies, this paper analyses the works to explore how different comedians respond to the imperative of authenticity permeating media culture today. Through the analysis of signs of constructedness and referentiality in the performances, it is shown that both performances occasionally seem so ‘real’ that they become uncomfortable and hyperrealistic. This is vital considering Roland Barthes’ concern that the reality effect, when constructed well, may result in audiences accepting narratives as unproblematically true. Moreover, an increased succumbing to the imperative of authenticity may result in this imperative’s reinforcement. This, in turn, might require performances to appear increasingly ‘real’ and bring with it a variety of consequences. As such, understanding the imperative of authenticity and different cultural figures’ reactions thereto is an important step in understanding how to engage with constructedness and truth in a post-truth era.

The role of ethnic Poles in the educational and cultural life of the Northern Left Bank of Ukraine in the 19th – the first quarter of the 20th centuries

The article analyzes the activities of scientific, educational, and cultural figures of Polish origin in the Ukrainian lands of the Left Bank, their place in education, and determines their place in cultural life, and their contribution to the development of science and art. It was established that despite all attempts to assimilate the Polish population by the kings, representatives of the Polish intelligence in the north of Ukraine retained an interest in the national culture and language, Polish studies in general during the 19th and the first quarter of the 20th centuries. In the context of general trends, the activities of the most prominent figures of Polish origins, such as A. Andrzejowski, B. Verzykiwski, W. Wilkonski, W. Novodvorski, K. Shapolinski, and others, are outlined.

Ukrainian Crisis and the Perspectives of the Identism

The article analyzes the impact of the Ukrainian crisis on the ideological confrontation between identists and antiidentists (ultraliberals, supporters of “liberal democracy”) in the world and the influence of crisis on the prospects of the further consolidation of identism. Identism is considered as the worldview of parties and movements that defend identity and traditions, family values, and criticize immigration to varying degrees and with different accents. It is emphasized that the appeal to identity is increasing in current political decisions and discussions. It raises the question of rethinking the “clash of civilizations” through the dynamics of universalism and particularism, referring to tradition and the protecting identity in the programs of political parties. The analysis of political conflicts and speeches by the leaders of parties and movements demonstrated that anti–Russian policy and the policy of “cancel culture” towards Russia have become a manifestation of a new round of confrontation between mainly Western antiidentism and an emerging global force ‒ traditionalism or identism. Most politicians, public and cultural figures were faced with the dilemma of whether to make a choice in favor of Russia in order to dissociate themselves from antiidentism or to stay away. The logic of confrontation is based on the displacement (in the consistent and harsh application of cancel culture) of one's ideological opponent into a marginal field, if it is not possible to achieve his complete destruction as a social or political player. The Ukrainian crisis has made the confrontation between identitarians and antiidentitarians more pronounced at the international level and opponents of antiidentism have become part of the political space of most countries. The most important feature of the confrontation between the two ideological systems is the significant presence of supporters of various opposing parties in almost all countries and regions.

Destroying Vision, Destroying Hearing: Sergei Kuriokhin and Arkady Dragomoshchenko

The article explores the unique friendship and creative synergy between two towering figures of late Soviet underground culture, the avant-garde jazz musician Sergei Kuriokhin and the poet Arkady Dragomoshchenko. Both outsiders in Leningrad, they shaped its literary and musical landscapes without aligning with any movements. Dragomoshchenko, a seminal poet, defied categorization, while Kuriokhin, a polymath, challenged conventions across music, performance, and politics. Their collaboration epitomized innovation, blending Dragomoshchenko’s cerebral poetry with Kuriokhin’s avant-garde music. Despite linguistic barriers, their connection transcended verbal communication, rooted in shared modes of nonlinear thinking and creative experimentation. Kuriokhin’s revolutionary Pop Mekhanika, a chaotic fusion of genres and sensory experiences, mirrored Dragomoshchenko’s relentless poetic evolution. Their friendship catalyzed pivotal encounters, such as with the American poet Lyn Hejinian, expanding their artistic horizons. Dragomoshchenko’s poetic vision, centred on perception’s fleeting nature and the boundaries of possibility, echoed Kuriokhin’s multisensory assaults on audience expectations. Through their unconventional artistry, Kuriokhin and Dragomoshchenko navigated the shifting cultural landscape of late Soviet society, embodying a spirit of defiance and exploration. Their enduring influence transcends their untimely deaths, leaving an indelible mark on Russian avant-garde culture.

Потерянные иллюзии в автобиографической прозе князя И. М. Долгорукова (1764 – 1823)

Prince I. M. Dolgorukov (1764–1823) was an interesting writer and figure of the Russian culture of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His life path was like that of many young noblemen of the period. Full of hopes for a bright future, he had to face a non-idyllic reality. I. M. Dolgorukov turned his juvenile (and not only) illusions into a central theme of his autobiography, entitled “Povest’ o rozhdenii moyem, proiskhozhdenii i vsey zhizni”. This article aims to demonstrate that autobiographical prose became for the prince a means of overcoming the disappointments of his “lost illusions”, by revealing the deceptions behind illusory realities such as the world of service and the court. Moreover, the analysis of I. M. Dolgorukov’s ego-text illustrates the apologetic intentions of the writer in transforming his illusions into a leitmotiv. By thematizing the latter, Ivan Mikhaylovich justifies the lack of the expected successes in his life and career. In fact, the prince systematically shows how, both in the army and in the imperial bureaucratic system, his hopes of serving the emperor with devotion are always destroyed due to the corruption that surrounds him. The present study highlights that ,in the author’s autobiographical narration, the theme of illusions is used with educational aims as well. From his personal experience of unfulfilled expectations and of believing in illusory ideals, I. M. Dolgorukov draws life lessons for his descendants. Finally, the article emphasizes that self-writing itself can be considered a form of illusion with which the autobiographer tries to fight the passage of time and to make sense of his past.

M. Gorky and V. Vasnetsov: the Unknown about the Known

A scientific study of unpublished correspondence between M. Gorky and V.M. Vasnetsov and other archival sources has been conducted, which allowed a new look at the complex, even conflicting personal and creative relationships of two major figures of Russian artistic culture of the late 19th – early 20th centuries. The documents found, despite their private nature, raise the main questions of human existence, faith and religion. At the same time, they testify to the deep ideological and political split of Russian society on the eve of the revolution, including its artistic elite. It is shown that Gorky admired the bright talent of Vasnetsov, the artist, from a young age, the pathos of his paintings, praising the heroic strength and invincible spirit of the Russian people. Vasnetsov also took great interest in the young, but already well–known writer – a native of the people. But the correspondence that began between them in 1900 immediately revealed an insurmountable gap in their religious and socio-political views. This was especially clearly manifested in the attitude towards the national genius of Russia – L.N. Tolstoy and his conflict with the Russian Orthodox Church. Therefore, the friendly relations between the writer and the artist, which began in the spring of 1900 with mutual sincere sympathy, did not last long and, apparently, were interrupted in the autumn of the same year.

Romanian metaliterature from the Cernăuți region: critical synthesis

The article presents a critical synthesis of four literary metaliterary volumes published over the past 25 years. These works offer a comprehensive overview of the cultural, literary, and (to a limited extent) publicistic processes unfolding in the alienated Romanian spaces. The first volume belongs to the undersigned (Apetri, 2000), the following ones are signed by the personalities Ștefan Hostiuc (Hostiuc, 2005), Dragoș Olaru (Olaru, 2020) and Ștefan Broască (Broască, 2022). The first volume addresses the cultural and literary movement that occurred in Bucovina and the Herța region between 1775 and 1918, some literary achievements of the last two centuries, three cardinal Eminencian themes and some major social, cultural and literary events in the Romanian territories situated to the east of the Carpathian Mountains, which transpired during the 1990s. The next volume is presents a comprehensive survey of the artistic creation of the Chernivtsi region. It provides an in-depth look at the poetry of the compatriots, a profound aesthetic reflection and an analysis of the distinctive creative traits exhibited by its poets across generations. The study stands out for the density and accuracy of its assessments. The book Messages from the past (Mesaje din trecut) presents Eminescu within the context of a vast cultural environment from Chernivtsi. It provides significant information about a number of Romanian and foreign writers and cultural figures who were active in the north of Bucovina during the nineteenth century and a little later. In addition, it offers insights into the history of various cultural and social institutions, as well as the life of the land of Herța. St. Broască identified the main parameters that shaped the literary creation of specific Romanian writers by analysing the characteristics of two or three representative works by each author. This was followed by the delineation of their creative profile, accompanied by an evaluation of the comprehensive compendium Pages of Romanian literature (Pagini de literatură română) (Bostan, 2000), the emblematic anthology Poets from Bucovina (Poeți din Bucovina) (Rachieru, 1996) and the volume Messages from the past… (Mesaje din trecut…) (Olaru, 2020), which contain valuable meta-literary information about the anthologized artistic material.

The Ripakawing Tradition of the Bugis Migrants in Tanete Riaja District, Barru Regency: A Legal Family Analysis in Islam

This study aims to examine the ipalai tapi' tradition in marriage in Suppa District, Pinrang Regency, and analyze it from the perspective of Islamic law. This research employs field research methods with a qualitative descriptive approach. Primary data were obtained through observation, interviews with the community and cultural figures, and documentation. Secondary data were obtained from archives, journals, and previous studies. The findings indicate that the ipalai tapi' tradition emerged as a response to the high divorce rate and other household issues, functioning as a symbol and prayer to protect the newlyweds' household from undesirable matters. The ipalai tapi' process is carried out after the marriage contract, using a tapi' cloth that is draped over the bride and groom and then sewn by a community or family elder, symbolically binding the couple to ensure a lasting relationship. The Islamic legal analysis categorizes this tradition as al-urf shohih, which means permissible customs.This study recommends that the ipalai tapi' tradition be maintained and preserved as part of local culture that does not contradict Islamic teachings.

Image of regions and index of historical and cultural heritage: Altai Territory and the Altai Republic

Carrying out an effective image policy in modern conditions of competition between regions is becoming an important factor in the successful development of a territory's potential. However, image-forming activities in many Russian regions are still at a low level. One of the key issues is the problem of preservation and image promotion of historical and cultural heritage. In order to adequately assess and use this potential, it would be useful to develop universal methods for its evaluation. The authors attempt to develop a methodology for assessing regional images through the prism of the historical and cultural heritage of the territory. The study has for empirical basis the results of a survey of experts conducted in May 2023 by scientists from Altai State University in two constituent entities of the Russian Federation - the Altai Territory and the Altai Republic. More than half of the respondents have academic degrees; among them there are civil servants, deputies, cultural figures, journalists, museum workers, representatives of travel agencies, scientists. The results obtained were included in the Index, which took into account the ratings of different groups of regional symbols, as well as the assessments and recommendations of experts regarding the use of historical and cultural heritage. This “pilot project” of the Index contains three parts: 1) an associative series about each region; 2) ratings of historical and cultural symbols, built graphically into the “hexagon”; 3) practical recommendations and comparative analysis from experts. The article comprises three main sections; the introduction clarifies the content of the main concepts (“image”, “region”, “historical and cultural heritage”), and the conclusion summarizes the main results of the study. In general, according to the authors, the very principle of data processing during the creation of the Index has sufficiently justified itself. For each region, a clear picture was obtained that allows us to adequately assess the specifics of the situation and draw practical conclusions on how to more effectively implement image policies using the existing historical and cultural potential.

“Andhap Asor” in a Psychological Perspective: A Realist Study of Contemporary Javanese Society

Background: Cultural values ​​in Javanese social interactions have shifted, especially in the context of modernization that has an impact on the implementation of Andhap Asor, a cultural concept that emphasizes humility and respect. Objective: This qualitative study aims to explore the meaning and implementation of Andhap Asor in contemporary Javanese society through a realist approach, focusing on the psychological context of this value in social behavior. Method: Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and surveys with open-ended questions, involving teenagers, cultural figures, and stakeholders, selected using purposive sampling techniques. Thematic analysis in this study produced four themes: (1) The Psychological Concept of Andhap Asor; (2) Multi-generational Context in the Implementation of Andhap Asor; (3) Cultural Shift and Preservation Efforts; and (4) Contribution of Andhap Asor to Education and Social Cohesion. Conclusion: The conclusion of the study shows that although the value of Andhap Asor has declined among the younger generation, this principle remains important in creating harmonious social relationships, supporting mental health, and maintaining social cohesion in the modern era.