Image Of Russia Research Articles

Spanish Quality Press Coverage of the Pandemic Issue in Russia

The author analyses the features of media coverage of the new coronavirus infection (Covid-19) in Russia based on the material published from March 1, 2020, to May 15, 2020, in the Spanish high-quality press – daily social-political newspapers El País, El Mundo, and ABC. These papers are most read and influential in the modern media space not only in Spain but in the international market, and in particular in Latin America. The main goal of the study is to show how the image of Russia in the international media space affects the presentation of the pandemic in Russia in Spanish mass media. The author also studies the “quality press” concept and analyses this through the prism of Russian and foreign approaches. The analysis of the publications (152 articles), selected using the keywords “Russia”, “Moscow”, “Putin”, “Covid-19”, showed that some newspapers, being of high-quality and most read, do not reflect the pandemic situation in Russia widely (El País), or represent the sanitary situation in Russia partly and in the context of the domestic politics focused on the figure of the President (El Mundo). Another newspaper ABC corresponds to all the requirements for the status of quality press and covers the current situation of the pandemic in Russia objectively; 75 materials published during the analysed period draw the readers’ attention to the situation with the pandemic and not on the political situation in Russia.

The Image of Russia in Contemporary Russian Society: Political and Psychological Analysis

The article is based on the results of a study of Russian citizens’ perception of their country. More than 500 in-depth interview and nearly the same number of projective tests from 15 Russian regions became the basis for political-psychological analysis. These data enabled to identify the core features of Russia’s image in Russian mentality. This image includes reflections of authorities, leaders, the population, territory and the international role of the country in the country’s perception. The results confirm the conclusion that territorial expansionism is not typical for Russians. Authorities’ perception is an important component of the country’s image. Citizens' mistrust to the state was revealed. This allows us to suggest that Russian society still has not overcome the negative processes that started in the 1980s and led to a serious complex of “national inferiority” in the post-Soviet period.

Donbass Hierotopy in Elena Zaslavskaja’s Poem “Novorossia of Thunderstorms. Novorossia of Dreams” (2020)

The article is devoted to the analysis of the creation of the hierotopy of modern warring Donbass in the poem by Elena Zaslavskaja “Novorossia of Thunderstorms. Novorossia of Dreams” (2020). The article shows how the archetypes of cultural memory are actualized under the wartime circumstances and in the situation of ext­reme existential choice. One of the most ancient cultural archetypes of Russian culture is the image of Russia as a sacred space, which synthesizes the archaic image of the holy kingdom and Christian ideas of holiness as the feat of self-sacrifice. The author analyzes the mechanisms of creation in the poem of the image of Lugansk-Svyatograd included in the sacred Christian space due to the self-sacrifice of its inhabitants during the war with the Ukraine since 2014.

Srednii mir. L’eurasismo e la riflessione storica di Nicola Ottokar

Abstract Within the generation of Russian intellectuals, emigrated because of the Revolution and disseminated in universities all over the world, a new critical elaboration of Russian history was born. It was an authentic cultural movement; it called itself eurasianist, and their historical theses took the name of Eurasianism. For the Eurasianists, Russian history underwent an epochal turning point following the Mongol invasion and domination, which dragged Russian politics, economy, and culture towards Asia. It was the Asian cultural influence that dominated the most profound Russian spirit and made the country the beacon of future civilization, in contrast to Western decadent capitalist materialism. Nikolaj P. Ottokar was a highly respected specialist of medieval Florence, but he was also a Russian émigré, who desired to make his homeland known in a Western Europe that had an image of Russia mostly filtered through the most recent events and ideological paroxysm of those years. Ottokar belongs to that generation of exiles and dedicated two books (1936 and 1950) to Russia’s history. Through the analysis of those texts and the historical part that Ottokar wrote for the Italian Encyclopedia under Russia, this article (the first of a wider project on the Russian historian) aims to analyze Ottokar’s historical thought on Russia and understand whether or not the medievalist shared the eurasianist theses.

“Two sides of Russian life and progress”: the image of Moscow and St. Petersburg at the turn of the 19-20th centuries in the English-language travelogues

The article is devoted to the problem of images of the Russian Empire’s capitals at the turn of the 19-20th centuries in the European and American travelogues. The paper analyzes the main elements of foreigners’ ideas about Moscow and St. Petersburg and their influence on the image of Russia and Russians in general. Foreign tourists explained the cultural contrast between Russian capitals through the East-West dichotomy and concluded that the «barbaric» character of Russians was hidden behind the screen of European «civilization» created by the rulers.

Agrifood export potential of the Russian Federation: challenges and opportunities

The article is devoted to the search for opportunities to expand agrifood export potential of the Russian Federation in the rapidly changing landscape of global development. Despite the improved country’s position in the ranking of the world’s main food exporters at the end of 2020, there are a number of problems that hinder the achievement of the ambitious goal, set by the President in 2018 — the supply of agricultural products to the world market, equivalent to 45 billion dollars by 2025. Among these are: limited production opportunities for increasing exports while saturating the domestic market, inadequacy of the methodology for calculating the self-sufficiency ratio with the status of Russia as a food-exporting country, traditionally and mainly raw materials and grain export orientation, not corresponding to the actual capabilities of the Russian agroindustrial complex high expectations of an increase in supplies to the Chinese market, an increase in domestic food prices in retail and, as a result, a deterioration in food security in terms of economic availability for the population. The author put forward a proposal to revise the methodological approach to the assessment of the food self-sufficiency ratio and the subsequent determination of export product groups and the corridor of maximum permissible exports for them. It is concluded that export restrictions are justifi ed only for those commodity groups for which food independence has not been achieved. The need to diversify the export supply through the creation of a new commodity mass with added value produced on the territory of Russia is noted. The article emphasizes the principality of creating the food image of Russia as a producer of environmentally friendly safe products, and performing advertising campaigns when entering the Chinese market.

Образ России в романах Джулиана Барнса «Попугай Флобера» и «Шум времени»

The purpose of the article is to determine specificity of the image of Russia in the novels “Flaubert’s Parrot” and “The Noise of Time” by Julian Barnes. The study is novel in that it is the first to demonstrate how the image of Russia fits into the context of a postmodernist work and correlates with the idea of chaos, irony and culture mixing. As a result, it is proved that the image of Russia is based, on the one hand, on national myths and stereotypes and, on the other hand, on works of the classical Russian literature. The former are used to describe everyday life and are inextricably linked to such phenomena as alcohol abuse, the image of the “brown bear”, etc. In the second case, there are constant references to Turgenev, Nabokov, Shostakovich, the so-called high culture.

The “Europe – Russia” Dichotomy as an Invented Tradition of Modern Georgian Nationalism

In the article, the author analyzes the transformation of the dichotomy “Europe – Russia” in contemporary Georgian intellectual discourse as well as strategies and forms of positive and negative ideologization of the West and Russia. We state that the hypertrophied role of European and Russian images in the Georgian discourse has resulted from the belief of elites in the collective West as an alternative to Russian infl uence. We analyze the main strategies of forming a positive image of Europe in Georgian intellectual discourse, believing that the development of European motifs and images by several generations of Georgian intellectuals led to the emergence of a unique Georgian Europeanism and the concept of the “Non Typical European” Georgian nation. The development of European images depends on the formation and promotion of the image of Russia as a universal Other. It is assumed that the negative mythologization of Russia resulted from the historical trauma of the loss of statehood, Georgia’s forced history in the Russian Empire and the USSR, as well as the failures in the Russian-Georgian relations in the post-Soviet period. Overall, the author believes that Russian and European narratives have become invented traditions of Georgian identity that infl uence the strategies of elites in Georgian foreign policy.

Крымская война 1853–1856 годов в современной британской литературе: эволюция русского мифа

The article considers the problem of the emergence and development of images of Russia and Russians in the cultural consciousness of Great Britain in the period of the Crimean War of 1853–1856, which played an important role in shaping the national identity of the British through the opposition of “Our” to “Other”. Based on historical and literary analysis, the authors identify the basic components of the myth of Russia and Russians in British literature during the Crimean War: a hostile territory where three very different ethnotypes (Tatars, Cossacks and Russians) exist quite independently, the absolute tyranny of Tzar and the slavish essence of Russians. The created myth of the Crimean War justifies the imperial “moral interventionism” of Great Britain, which implies the protection of the weak from the strong and visually enshrined in the images of the Russian bear. The intensity of the negative assessment of Russia and Russians is dependent on the political situation, nevertheless, Sevastopol stands out in the space of the Russian myth and is represented as topos, which does not receive any negative assessment and evolves to the level of the core of the myth of Russia both past and present.

Metaphorical Image of Future of Russia in Context of Constitutional Reform of 2020 (French Media)

The article examines the cognitive patterns of the representation of the image of the future of Russia in the French media (Le Monde, L’Express, Le Point, RFI, Libération, Le Nouvel Observateur). The analysis of a corpus of 140 French metaphors, updated in the context of the constitutional reform in Russia in 2020 and performing a predictive function in the process of conceptualizing the future of Russia, is carried out. It is noted that in order to achieve the set goal of the work, it is advisable to use the method of cognitive research of metaphors, united by the target sphere of metaphorical expansion. The results of the analysis of the leading metaphorical models of the image of the future of Russia are presented: “The future of Russia is the past / USSR / old age / decline”, “Russia in the future is an absolute monarchy / limited space / fortified military facility”. It is shown that the image of the future of Russia is formed in the French media exclusively by negative metaphorical word usage. It is concluded that the metaphorical expressions used to describe the constitutional reform in Russia in 2020 are being updated by the French political elites to form the image of Russia as an undemocratic country devoid of a positive future.

Linguistic Image of Russia in American Printed Media (Case-Study of Headline Complexes)

The paper presents a linguistic image of Russia as shown by the US printed media. The study was conducted with two interrelated and complementary methods: that of describing associative semantic field and that of investigating qualia-structure of the concept, based on the generative lexicon theory by J. Pusteiovsky. Both methods resulted in building a layered concept structure with a core, a transition zone and periphery. For the purpose of the study, a corpus containing 3636 collocates with "Russia" as the key word was derived from headline complexes of US printed media: The Washington post and the New York Times. The analysis of the structure and composition of the associative semantic field has enabled the author to confirm significant influence of extralinguistic factors on the construction of linguistic images. The study involved processing previously made corpus with corpus management software to provide numeric data on lexemes frequency. Associative semantic field revealed the newsworthy events that put Russia in focus in headlines complexes: President Election of 2016 and investigation of Russia's supposed involvement, intelligence services and related causes celebre, sanctions, armed conflicts, coronavirus spread and oil prices fluctuations. Qualia-structure semantic analysis brought forth the main frames in the Russia concept structure: Russia as an aggressive power, Russia as a counterpart, Russia as a partner, and Russia as a destination.

Russian estate as a promising UNESCO World Heritage Site: on the example of Leo Tolstoy’s "Yasnaya Polyana"

The Russian estate is a characteristic phenomenon of Russian culture, which had a significant impact on the images of Russia and the formation of its cultural landscape. At the same time, this cultural phenomenon is not yet represented in the World Heritage List for Russia. The article reveals the main values of Leo Tolstoy’s estate Yasnaya Polyana, which are of universal importance; presents interconnectedness and interdependence of its natural and cultural characteristics. It is stated, that the territorial complex of Leo Tolstoy’s estate Yasnaya Polyana fully complies with the UNESCO criteria for assigning objects to the of World Heritage.

СОЦИОКУЛЬТУРНОЕ СОДЕРЖАНИЕ СОВРЕМЕННЫХ УЧЕБНИКОВ РУССКОГО ЯЗЫКА ДЛЯ ШКОЛ И ВУЗОВ СЛОВАКИИ

The article describes the process and results of the study of the socio-cultural content of modern Russian language textbooks for secondary schools and universities in Slovakia. The aim of the study is to find answers to the following questions: what kind of socio-cultural material is presented in these textbooks, does it create the preconditions for intercultural communication, what image of Russia is formed among Slovak students when they study Russian using these textbooks? The research material includes 13 textbooks used in teaching the Russian language in secondary schools and universities in Slovakia. The research methods comprise the following: content-analysis of curricula and textbooks, questioning, interviewing. The study showed that modern Russian language textbooks used in secondary schools and universities in Slovakia contain rich socio-cultural material. It contains facts of artistic culture and scientific achievements of Russia, provides information about events, personalities and situations of modern everyday communication. The realities of Russian life are reflected in textbooks scantily but rether benevolently. It creates a basis for intercultural communication and contributes to the formation of a positive image of Russia and the Russian people. The results of this study may be useful for many specialists (psychologists, political scientists, sociologists, historians, etc.), but are of primary significance for authors and reviewers of Russian language textbooks, as well as for teachers looking for a textbook for practical teaching.

Истоки лагерной темы в творчестве А.И. Солженицына: от поэзии к «Архипелагу ГУЛАГ»

In the present article A.I. Solzhenitsyn’s poetic works and The Gulag Archipelago are analyzed, their proximity and thematic kinship are revealed. The authors appeal to the creative history of these works, remark that poems and parts of the Archipelago are arranged according to a certain pattern. Both in poetry and prose, Solzhenitsyn reveals the path taken by Soviet convicts. Camps for political prisoners and I.V. Stalin’s death take significant place in his works. A.I. Solzhenitsyn is particularly interested in the unity of heroes with nature, communion with it as with an attribute of free people’s life. The writer claims that the camp may become a starting point for spiritual resurrection of a human being. Metaphorization as one of the artistic elements is used for the first time in lyrics to reveal the image of Russia. The authors conclude that the camp theme arose during Solzhenitsyn’s imprisonment and was first expressed in lyrics and the narrative poem Dorozhen’ka. The Gulag Archipelago was formed later not only from the personal experience of the author but also from numerous materials and evidence of eyewitnesses.

Russian economic initiatives as perceived by South Africans

In recent years, Russia has sought to establish itself as an important economic partner in South Africa for the first time. Russia has ‘image’ problems that have complicated its economic interaction with South Africa. The image of Russia in the collective consciousness of South Africans is formed primarily by local journalists, politicians and public figures. However, in South Africa, there are no popular publications and websites that consistently support the government’s efforts to strengthen trade and economic cooperation with Russia. South Africans see Russian initiatives as an alternative to the Western and Chinese influence on the local economy. For South Africans, their respect for Western values, achievements and culture is balanced by their rejection of the Western political and economic hegemony. Thus, South Africans see Russia as a potential counterbalance rather than a substitute for its Western partners. Apparently, most South Africans consider economic cooperation with Russia desirable. But the failed and controversial attempts by Russian state-owned companies to participate in important government projects have make the South African public wary of such efforts. The experience of Russian private companies shows that effective cooperation with South Africa is possible if Russian businesses are prepared to work there long and methodically, adapt to the local conditions and face stiff competition from Western and Chinese firms.

The image of Russia in modern mass media (on the example of materials of Russian-language online news aggregators)

The image of Russia in modern mass media (on the example of materials of Russian-language online news aggregators)

Determination of the image of Russia from ancient to modern time: linguo-philosophical approach

Determination of the image of Russia from ancient to modern time: linguo-philosophical approach

The image of Russia in German public opinion

The image of Russia in German public opinion

The image of Russia in the 1990s in historical memory of students of Krasnodar Region

The image of Russia in the 1990s in historical memory of students of Krasnodar Region

Representation of the image of Russia and Central Europe in the British press. The impact of media on intercultural communication in global context

Research background: Twenty-first century’s sees strong globalization trends in which mass media play crucial role in shaping public opinion which might saliently impact intercultural communication on the international level. Purpose of the article: This paper focuses on the representation of the image of Russia and Central and Eastern Europe in the British press and, besides, it sets out the role of stereotyping in intercultural communication. The article writers assume that the stereotypes play pivotal role in image shaping of a country in the media. Above all, the most efficient way to not stereotype is a straightforward communication of the participants alongside with the knowledge of the participant’s background, i. e. cultural knowledge. Drawing on the information from the British press, Russia, Central as well as Eastern Europe appears not solely as a geographical region. On the contrary, despite the fast economic, social and political development, its image abroad is still predominantly negative. Methods: The paper, in conjunction with the cultural linguistics and cognitive approach, reveals the range of metaphorical expressions, in particular cognitive aspect of metaphors used by British journalists, which, in turn form the image of Russia in the British press. Findings & Value added: The paper suggests that the analysis of the image of country in the mass media might apply to the investigation of images of other countries as well as to comparative studies.