Russian National Culture Research Articles

Геополитика как опасная патология политического сознания

The article is analytical and does not connected with questions of current politics. The radical difference between politics in genuine, Aristotelian meaning od word and political manipulations for solution of current political issues od day is emphasized. The historical, moral and sociological aspects of geopolitical paradigm in terms of imminent defectiveness of it and caused multiple negative consequences are considered. Among the topics of analysis are historical origin and evolution of geopolitical ideology from ancient China till European version of it – Machiavellianiism, and also a modern definition and understanding of geopolitics. The imminent pathologies of geopolitical consciousness are connected with mythology on national exclusiveness, ostensible uniqueness of different countries’ “special path”, etc. It was burdened in addition in several European states by post imperial political syndrome. Special sections of article are devoted to key crossroads in the history of Russia and also to condition of public political consciousness in the post Soviet period. It is characterized by deformations of value system, complex of social inferiority, fear of changes and deep socio psychological trauma. That usual for transit periods and finds a sort of compensation in vulgar pseudo patriotism. On the other side, the author is disagree and argues against of pessimistic, fatalistic judgements of Russian national political consciousness and culture and against of conclusion on supposed unpreparedness of us to democratic development.

An Insight into Translation Trends (with Special Reference to Russian and Armenian Translations of “A Christmas Carol”)

The article presents a comparative analysis of the cultural transfer of Dickens' novel “A Christmas Carol” in Armenian and Russian translations. The main objective of the article is to elucidate the distinctive characteristics of literary translation through the paradigm of cultural transfer, as well as the prevailing translation trends in Russian and Armenian national culture. In the Armenian literary environment of the late 19th century, British verbal art exerted a notable influence, precisely due to the influence of Russian literature and the intermediary role of Russian translations. The evaluation of Dickens' heritage as a literary classic, especially in Eastern Armenia, is first realised through the prism of its popularity in the Russian literary environment (in this context, significant textual modifications are made due to the different linguistic–cultural usage). At the same time, quantitative and qualitative studies have demonstrated the existence of Armenian translations or abridged versions (in Western Armenia and other centres of the Armenian diaspora, such as Athens and Beirut) of “A Christmas Carol”, created from the original text with apparent contextual alterations based on the influence of Armenian national specificity.

Виктор Георгиевич Одиноков (10.06.1924 – 17.08.2016)

The paper presents a detailed account of the scientific and pedagogical achievements of Viktor Georgievich Odinokov, a renowned Russian literary critic (06.10.1924–08.17.2016). A distinctive characteristic of Odinokov’s research style was his focus on the overarching themes and profound processes of national literature. The scientific and theoretical significance of his monographs lies in their methodology, which progresses from analyzing the poetics of specific literary works to understanding the systematic nature of the literary text as a whole. This approach encompasses the relationship between the writer and the reader, elevating research thought to the level of hermeneutics. Odinokov’s scientific approaches differed significantly from both the dogmatic principles of official Soviet literary criticism, which were grounded in historical materialism and the broad interpretation of the subject matter by the structural-semiotic school. His methodological trajectory from typology to systematicity made a significant contribution to literary methodology and established an original scientific school. Odinokov was one of the initiators and organizers of the publication “Essays on Russian Literature of Siberia,” which was recognized both domestically and internationally as the first study in Russia on the history of regional literature. The works of Victor Georgievich Odinokov, a distinguished literary critic from Siberia, have made a profound contribution to Russian national culture.

Утопия и патернализм в аграрной России: традиции и современность. Часть I: конец XVII в. – 30-е гг. XX в.

The aim of the study is to show the relationship of such socio-cultural phenomena as utopia and paternalism in the history of agrarian Russia. The paper consistently provides insight into the following aspects of the study: the role of paternalism and utopia in the complex structure of economic and spiritual values of Russians in the pre-reform period (from the late 17th century to the first half of the 19th century); the transformation of the traditions of paternalism in their connection with utopian ideas in the period after the emancipation reform of 1861 and up to the 1930s. The scientific novelty of the study lies in determining how the connection between the elements of utopia and paternalism manifested itself in the context of solving key economic and socio-cultural problems of agrarian Russia. As a result, the author shows that the positive aspects associated with the rise of Russian national culture in the early 20th century could not be appreciated either by the czarist-era authorities or later by the Bolshevik leadership and eventually a real chance for the economic and socio-cultural rise of the country was missed. The research on this topic will be continued in the next publication.

Усадьба Виц-Григорьевых (Костромская область): история создания и современное состояние

Provincial noble estates are an important component of the domestic architectural and landscape heritage. Over the years, there has been a loss of significance of noble estates as a phenomenon of Russian national culture. Therefore, the role of noble estate and park complexes as cultural landscapes and as elements of preserving the cultural identity of Russia is increasing. This issue is of particular relevance for the Kostroma region, where there is an extremely low safety of rural noble estates. The aim of the study was to examine the history of the creation of the noble estate of the Vits-Grigorievs and the current state of its natural and anthropogenic landscapes (Kologrivsky district of the Kostroma region). The research was carried out in several stages using the following methods: historical and archival expertise, field surveys, graphic-analytical method. By 1917, the manor complex included the main house with outbuildings, garden and park and utility parts, an orphanage with a school. To date, none of the manor buildings have survived. The basis of the complex is a larch-linden park, formed in two stages: in the first half and in the last quarter of the 19th century. An assessment of the sanitary condition of plantings and the structure of the tree canopy made it possible to conclude that an active process of decay of park plantings is taking place. To date, there has been an almost complete displacement of ornamental plants on the estate by species from wild flora. Since 1917, musk strawberry (Fragaria moschata), germander meadowsweet (Spiraea chamaedryfolia), Siberian peashrub (Caragana arborescens) and common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) have remained in the assortment of ornamental plants. To preserve the historical and cultural value of the object, it is necessary to carry out measures for its reconstruction. Modern use of the territory may include the creation and implementation of a tourist route.

Designing a linguoculturological project: an effective method for organising educational and research activity of students

Language learning based on a linguoculturological approach enables national cultural phenomena interpretation through studying units of the national language. Such work promotes the formation and development of culturological and linguoculturological competencies of students. Within the framework of the competence-based approach to teaching relevant in modern pedagogy, these competencies are crucially important in secondary and higher education. In this regard, the humanities (above all else, Russian Language and Literature) are of particular importance. Literature lessons enable teachers to apply traditional and new methods, use a variety of culturally marked didactic materials. One such effective method employed to organise the educational and research activity of students is designing a linguoculturological project. Providing the example of the lexemes apple tree (yablonya) and apple (yabloko), the article aims to outline the specificity of lexical analysis from a linguoculturological perspective when developing a linguoculturological project. The project on the topic ‘Apple tree and apple in the Russian language, Russian culture, and the linguistic consciousness of modern youth’ includes 13 so-called ‘pages’. Linguoculturological analysis of empirical material was the principal research method employed. Additionally, the investigation used structural-semantic, functional-stylistic, descriptive, comparative, statistical methods as well as the survey technique. The developed linguoculturological project proves the importance of the concepts denoted by the words apple tree (yablonya) and apple (yabloko) for native Russian speakers and national culture at both the linguistic and culturological levels.

Whose Presence, Whose Absences? Decolonising Russian National Culture and History: Observations Through the Prism of Religious Contact

In the introduction to this special issue, the editors are concerned with how the Russian state defines its national culture and history mainly with reference to Slavic civilisation, Orthodox Christianity and imperial glory. This post-Soviet discourse of nation-building may be understood as an attempt to cope with a sense of loss in the wake of the Soviet Union’s collapse. That discourse also affects how nationalist-minded observers interpret space as naturally Russian and as part of the empire of the past (or the present). Regrettably, little consideration is being paid to Russia’s ethnic and religious minority cultures, which hardly seem to contribute to Russian history and culture and sometimes do not even feature in representations thereof. Critically engaging with the ideas of presence and absence—the presence of one culture or tradition to the detriment of others—, the editors suggest, can potentially help to decolonise accounts and illustrations of Russian culture and heritage. In the best case, the outcome of such an exercise would be a more adequate involvement of minority representatives in the process of negotiating Russian national culture.

Russian Philosophy as National Culture Phenomenon

Russian philosophy has specifi c character that distinguishes it from the philosophy of Western European countries. Often that fact served as the motive for denying the existence of philosophy as such in Russia. In he article the author proves that Russian philosophy is a separate trend in world philosophical thought and reveals its main features in its connection with Russian national culture. He shows that Russian philosophy is equally complex and internally contradictory as Russian national consciousness itself. The author proves that Russian philosophy in its thousand-year history has more than once approached the solution of eternal questions in its highest models

Eurasian vector of civilizational ideology of Russia

The paper considers the civilizational vector of the future of Russia in conjunction with the topic of the international scientific conference “Social and cultural transformations in the context of modern globalism” dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Doctor of Philosophy, Professor V.Kh. Akaev. The authors put the ideas of the Russian Caucasian scientist, who influenced the study of spiritual processes that determine the future of Russian and North Caucasian civilization, to justify the content of Eurasianism as an ideological course of the Russian state. The constitutional refusal of the state from a single official ideology, as it seems to the authors of the article, does not mean the absence of ideologies in society, moreover, it needs it to build a civilizational strategy. Ideology is considered as a theoretical level of understanding the existence of Eurasian peoples, their self-awareness, it is based on a specific system of values, in the foundations of which Orthodoxy and Sufi Islam occupy a special place, which gives Eurasian ideology a pivotal role in the spiritual and cultural confrontation between the East and the West. The key character of the dozen civilizational, globalization and ideological-forming ideals from among political, ethical, epistemological and other values highlighted in the article will be emphasized. At the same time, the metamorphosis of the religious (Islamic) renaissance and the synergistic impact on humanity of the COVID-19 pandemic are taken into account. Eurasianism as a conceptual value system can not only be the basis of the corresponding social and state ideology. It has been necessary for Russia for a long time and immediately both for tactical (modernization) purposes, and for determining the civilizational strategy of the peoples of the vast post-Soviet space, for the efficiency of their comprehensive cooperation, and for pursuing an independent sovereign course towards the United States and Western Europe. Eurasian ideology is necessary for the preservation of Russian national culture and identity due to the threat of their erosion in the context of unifying globalization trends.

Anti-Fairy Tales in the Works by Vladimir Vysotsky and Robert Rozhdestvensky: Genesis and Artistic Findings

The author explores, for the first time, Vladimir Vysotsky’s anti-fairy tales (“The Fairy Tale Song about Evil Spirits”, “There is no more Lukomorye”, “Verses of Evil Spirits”) and Robert Rozhdestvensky (“The Tale of the Blacksmith who Stole a Horse”, “The Monologue of the King of Animals”) in a comparative aspect. These texts have common foundations with folklore genres (myth, bylichka (folkloric account), byvalschina (true story), fairy tale) and literary fairy tale. The purpose of the article is to disclose the artistic features and the genesis of the anti- fairy talesby Vysotsky and Rozhdestvensky. It is revealed that the roots of folklore works go back into the mythological layers of Russian national culture associated with the development of artistic consciousness of people of prehistoric times. The myths that reflected a person’s idea of the world were of a religious nature and did not cause doubt as long as they were believed in. After the belief in animate gods disappeared, myths began to be perceived as fiction and become a bylichka (folkloric account), byvalschina (true story), fairy tale, etc. It is concluded that the anti-fairy tale is based on the attributes of a fairy-tale model, which are used by the authors of works to identify the imperfections of the real world, to ridicule it. One of the means of creating comic effects in the studied anti- fairy tales is hyperbole. In turn, hyperbolization reveals the ideological intent of the works, enhancing their aesthetic and authorial sound. Bearing the traditions of folklore genres (myth, bylichka (folkloric account), byvalschina (true story), fairy tales, etc.) and literary fairy tales, the anti-fairy tales by Vysotsky and Rozhdestvensky help the reader to create a contrast between the fabulous idea of the world and the imperfect world of reality.

«Война и мир» Л. Н. Толстого: истолкования Н. Н. Страхова, актуальные контексты

The article presents an analysis and evaluation of N. N. Strakhov's interpretation of Tolstoy's novel “War and Peace”. Based on two fundamental organic notions – “life” and “soil” – the critic shows that “War and Peace” embodies the national character of Russia. Strakhov's understanding of “War and Peace” is also one of his attempts to counter nihilism in the public consciousness of nineteenth-century Russians and to promote the development and broad popular acceptance of Russian national culture in its best, pinnacle examples.

The humanistic spirit and poetic aesthetics of Russian animated films (on the example of the work of Yuri Norstein)

Under the influence of French avant-garde filmmakers who created the creative method of "montage film", at the beginning of the twentieth century, Soviet director Sergei Eisenstein developed a technique called "intelligent editing". Later, the famous film director Andrei Tarkovsky constructed the inner truth of the film with the help of poetic expression, thereby giving it a unique poetic aesthetic. This form of filmmaking has had a profound impact on Russian animated cinema. This article is devoted to the study of the specifics of Russian animation on the example of paintings by Yuri Norstein, in particular, the analysis of the humanistic spirit and poetic aesthetics. Special attention is paid in the article to the symbolism of the cinematic images of the works of Yu. Norstein and the peculiarities of the reflection of reality in animation. The main conclusion of this study : in contrast to Hollywood animation with the shocking creation of visual meanings, in Russian animated works, a calm narrative with symbolic meaning attached to details gradually rises to the level of philosophical comprehension. Yuri Norstein's paintings are full of symbols and metaphors that evoke various associations in the audience and give free rein to their imagination. The content of cartoon paintings is characterized by depth and a multilevel system of meanings embodying the Russian national culture and the picture of the world. The combination of realistic traditions with advanced techniques distinguishes the director's work from American animation.

Differences in the Principle of Politeness in Chinese and Russian Linguistic Cultures

The principle of politeness is a means of communication widely used in every society by individuals, but this principle has peculiarities in different cultures. The principles of politeness play an important role in the analysis of the speech etiquette of communicants of different cultures. In recent decades, there has been an increasing interest in their study. Despite the increased interest, no research has yet been conducted on the differences in the principles of politeness in Chinese and Russian linguistic cultures. This article examines these differences on the basis of the principle of politeness of J. Lich and the principle of courtesy of Gu Yuego with Chinese specifics. The characteristic features of Chinese national culture and Russian national culture are revealed through comparison. Compared with Chinese, Russians have different attitudes towards modesty; secondly, the Russian social interaction is much simpler than the Chinese one; thirdly, solidarity relations prevail in Russia, whereas power relations prevail in China; fourthly, China and Russia have different attitudes towards the word《老》 [ lǎo] /old Chinese character 《老》[ lǎo] in some cases is a symbol of wisdom, and when addressing the elderly using the word《老》[ lǎo], respect is shown to the addressee, whereas in Russia this addressing is considered as a manifestation of harshness and rudeness; fifth, Russians pay more attention to personal life than the Chinese. Thus, some principles of politeness applied in China may be considered very impolite for Russians and vice versa.

The Technique of Formation of Valuable Attitude for Amateur Theatre by Future Leaders

The dynamic development of theater culture in Russia, including the culture of Amateur theater, the growing popularity of Amateur theater in modern society, and the awareness of Amateur theater as a phenomenon of Russian national culture makes it urgent to improve the training of managers of Amateur theater groups in institutions of arts and culture. The study of literature, generalization of practical experience, and experimental research data led the authors to the conclusion that the direction of this improvement is to educate students in a value attitude to Amateur theater and their chosen profession. The functions of value attitude education: epistemological (knowledge), axiological (value), regulatory-normative and creative. Components of the pedagogical model: adaptive-diagnostic, planned-correctional, informational-activity, variative-creative, evaluative-effective. The results of the chosen pedagogical model gave positive results, which makes it possible to consider the proposed way to improve the training of specialists correct and appropriate.

"Truth" and "Law" in Russian Legal Consciousness: Conservative and Theological Motives

The article analyses the problem of correlation between the categories of "truth" and "law" in Russian legal consciousness. The authors focus on the study of this issue mainly on the example of Russian conservative thought, justifying it by the fact that of all the theories of legal understanding only conservative legal ideology was able to express the traditional perception of law for the Russian legal consciousness. It was conservative legal scholars who drew attention to the fact that the essence of law in Russian culture is determined by the traditional worldview, which was formed back in the V-IX centuries and continues to dominate at present. It is noted that traditionally Russian legal consciousness in contrast to the European is characterized by such features as syncretistic unity of religious, moral and legal principles, united by the ideal of Pravda; the prevalence of internal, conscientious over external, formal legal side of law; lack of tangible influence of Roman law on the Russian legal tradition to the beginning of XX century. The priority of the ideals of collegiality, social service and duties; the prevalence of customary, unwritten law, expressing the people's ideals of truth, conscience, and justice. Based on the works of Hilarion, I.S. Peresvetov, I.T. Pososhkov, A.S. Khomyakov, I.S. and K.S. Aksakovs, I.V. Kirievsky, I.A. Ilyin, A.I. Solzhenitsyn, they come to the conclusion that the tradition of distinguishing law and law, pravda (grace, conscience) and formal jurisprudence is deeply rooted in Russian national culture. However, disobedience to external, positive law was justified by conservatives only under the condition of the spirit of law - the provision of religious and moral pravda. Morover, following the "letter of the law" only leads in specific legal situations to an unjust and immoral legal solution.

From Humility to Servant Leadership: New Governance Ethics and Culture

Cultural changes we see today call for a thorough study of servant leadership. They originate from the spread of conscious consumption and the formation of new norms. Within this novel set of expectations, the leader figure is not reduced to their professional characteristics but needs to meet specific personal qualities (virtues), for example, modesty and selfless willingness to serve one’s subordinates in their professional and personal growth. The literature review has revealed a growing number of works on servant leadership in English. At the same time, references to historical precedents indicate that imposing values outweigh a strictly theoretical analysis. The value-driven approach aims to impact means and instruments of governance at a conscious level, to match political leadership with sustainable development, and defy extensive consumption. We set to study prospects and limitations of applying new norms to modern societies and of assuming such a leadership style in various national cultures. The research focuses on governance discourse that embraces the concepts of service, humility, and modesty. The authors addressed the following research questions: what is the theory of servant leadership today? What is the role of value theory (axiology) in culture, both in its economic, political, and social dimensions? These questions are novel in modern Russian philosophy. Thematic analysis of literature on the topic has shown essential characteristics of a servant leader and made it possible to provide a compatible definition. The study concentrates on the understanding and functioning of the concept of service in Russian national culture and goes beyond its economic interpretation. The methods of anthropology and axiology, thick description, case study, and SWOT analysis were utilized. The paper finds conditions for implementing the servant type of leadership in Russia to achieve better results both in politics, and in business. Promotion of servant leadership is possible via PR strategies that exploit service as a general cultural phenomenon.

РАЗРАБОТКА ПОКАЗАТЕЛЕЙ КАЧЕСТВА ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОГО УПРАВЛЕНИЯ В СФЕРЕ НАЦИОНАЛЬНОЙ БЕЗОПАСНОСТИ. Часть 2. Защита национальных ценностей, национальной культуры и национальной истории

In the conditions of exacerbation of religious extremism and ethnic separatism at the beginning of the 21st century, cultural diffusion and the conduct of a hybrid war against Russia, the task of protecting their own national values, national culture and national history, and improving the quality of public administration becomes especially urgent for the Russian people. The purpose of this article is to substantiate the approach to the development of indicators of the quality of public administration in the field of national security. The paper analyzes the terminology and coherence of syntactic constructions in strategic planning documents, as well as the prospects for the protection of Russian national values, national culture and national history. The results of the analysis made it possible to propose an approach to the development and the list of indicators of the quality of public administration on this issue. The proposed approach to the development of indicators of the quality of public administration in the field of national security can significantly increase the level of information and analytical support and improve the methods of state control and monitoring of the relevant indicators of ensuring national security. The approach to developing indicators of the quality of public administration in the field of national security can be used to substantiate recommendations to the leadership of our country on improving state control and monitoring of relevant indicators for ensuring national security.

«Дух русской культуры» в современном музыкальном искусстве

The article examines the process observed in Russian national culture associated with the implementation of Russian national images and characteristic features of the Russian worldview in the modern musical space. Russian musical culture, which previously followed the features of national identity in almost everything, is now more inclined towards a cosmopolitan point of view. If in the European regions of Russia this tendency can be traced more clearly, let us turn our attention to the musical culture of Siberia, which, as you know, “the wealth of Russia will grow”. Let us dwell on the work of one of the modern young Siberian composers, whose work confirms the promising nature of the "Russian spirit" in the modern cultural space.

Folk Art in the Poetics of V. M. Shukshin

The article gives the review of various aspects of folk art functioning as artistic features of V. M. Shukshin's prose. The universal pictorial and allegorical means of Shukshin, covering the labor, everyday, festive forms of Russian national culture, is a folk song. Decorative and applied art as an ekphrastic element forms an additional imaginative system in the writer's aesthetic system. Dance usually serves as a means of psychological analysis: a sign of the inner conflict of the character, a reflex of his existential experience, a marker of a catastrophic world perception. The buffoonery of Shukshin's characters goes back to the tradition of foolishness and Skomorokhs clowning and refers to the national problem of searching for a spiritual ideal, the sacred manner of condemnation / blessing through laughter.

The Altai Cossacks family in the 19th - early 20th centuries: sociocultural and historical Aspects

The article is devoted to a brief history of Siberian Cossacks in Altai. The exploration of Altai by the Siberian Cossacks was conditioned by the political and economic interests of the Russian state. It needed to protect the southern borders of Siberia from aggressive attacks of the Dzungarian Khanate and to develop the natural resources of the Altai, primarily the ore deposits. During the development of this territory, the Cossack family was the basis of Cossack’s life, a kind of financial, spiritual, and cultural center. When we considered transforming the Cossack family, we took into account the historical and sociocultural context. Various aspects describing the Cossack family are supported by statistical research data, in particular the 1917 agricultural census, a unique document that presents questionnaires of 95% of the Cossack households. An important place is given to the description of the rites and wedding customs of the Altai Cossacks, in which the traditions of Russian national culture are manifested.