2 December 06, 2017
Articles and Statements
1. Varvara Е. Dobrovolskaya
«I love from the Bottom of my Heart – I Gift a Pouch Forever»: Decorative, Informative and Magical Functions of Letters on Home Objects
Russkaya Starina, 2017, 8(2): 108-121.
Number of views: 1424 Download in PDF
2. Nicholas W. MitiukovRusskaya Starina, 2017, 8(2): 108-121.
Abstract:
The article discusses the function of the inscriptions on various objects in the traditional culture. Such inscriptions were attached by importance and were not a part of the decoration. In this case, they often were placed on the back side of the object. In some cases, they became a part of the ornament, and then their content was usually enlarged. The inscription could be a commentary on some image, sometimes complementing it, explaining what was going on, but in some cases the inscription changed the meaning of the portrayed events. Things “with the words” became fashionable and popular, and in some cases played the role of “propaganda”. But at the same time the inscription was interpreted as having large magical sense. It was thought that it may ruin or to protect its owner, to сonserve one's feelings, etc. Finally, the inscription on the things might remind you of some person, thus being a kind of monument to him.
The article discusses the function of the inscriptions on various objects in the traditional culture. Such inscriptions were attached by importance and were not a part of the decoration. In this case, they often were placed on the back side of the object. In some cases, they became a part of the ornament, and then their content was usually enlarged. The inscription could be a commentary on some image, sometimes complementing it, explaining what was going on, but in some cases the inscription changed the meaning of the portrayed events. Things “with the words” became fashionable and popular, and in some cases played the role of “propaganda”. But at the same time the inscription was interpreted as having large magical sense. It was thought that it may ruin or to protect its owner, to сonserve one's feelings, etc. Finally, the inscription on the things might remind you of some person, thus being a kind of monument to him.
Number of views: 1424 Download in PDF
Memoirs of I.V. Dobrovolsky as a historical source for Votkinsk shipbuilding
Russkaya Starina, 2017, 8(2): 122-142.
Number of views: 1413 Download in PDF
3. Tatyana Yu. VlaskinaRusskaya Starina, 2017, 8(2): 122-142.
Abstract:
Memoirs of I.A. Dobrovolsky are one of the most significant works on the history of Votkinsk shipbuilding. There are no any analogues in the details of the description. An analysis of the memoirs showed that they combine two layers of information: one that the memoirist was a witness, and what he drew from other sources. Analysis of borrowings showed that the memoirist did not use archival data. All the direct links to the archival documents are not exact or simply false. Probably the basis of the factual part of the memoirs was oral traditions, with characteristic defects of this type of source. The real events mentioned by the memoirist are perverted in the presentation (supposedly numerous, not single orders after riding on the boat “Votkinsky zavod”), are given in a wrong context (source of the popularity of Siberian steamers), or in an inaccurate interpretation (allegedly Ministry of Roads as the basis of a customer of Siberian steamers). Most of the figures and dates given by I.A. Dobrovolsky are also seem to be perverted when rechecked. These circumstances make it possible to assert that in terms of describing the events the memoirist could not be witnessed. The memoirs have exclusively cultural and literary value. The historical value of this material is low.
Memoirs of I.A. Dobrovolsky are one of the most significant works on the history of Votkinsk shipbuilding. There are no any analogues in the details of the description. An analysis of the memoirs showed that they combine two layers of information: one that the memoirist was a witness, and what he drew from other sources. Analysis of borrowings showed that the memoirist did not use archival data. All the direct links to the archival documents are not exact or simply false. Probably the basis of the factual part of the memoirs was oral traditions, with characteristic defects of this type of source. The real events mentioned by the memoirist are perverted in the presentation (supposedly numerous, not single orders after riding on the boat “Votkinsky zavod”), are given in a wrong context (source of the popularity of Siberian steamers), or in an inaccurate interpretation (allegedly Ministry of Roads as the basis of a customer of Siberian steamers). Most of the figures and dates given by I.A. Dobrovolsky are also seem to be perverted when rechecked. These circumstances make it possible to assert that in terms of describing the events the memoirist could not be witnessed. The memoirs have exclusively cultural and literary value. The historical value of this material is low.
Number of views: 1413 Download in PDF
Family Group against a Background of the End of the Empire: Gorinovs from Khutor Bokov. Part 1
Russkaya Starina, 2017, 8(2): 143-153.
Number of views: 1358 Download in PDF
4. Evgeny F. KrinkoRusskaya Starina, 2017, 8(2): 143-153.
Abstract:
The article deals with the anthropological aspects of the history of Russian revolutions. Primary focus is on the life of railway engineer N. Gorinov, a native of the provincial merchant family. The example of the Gorinovs reveals the unrealized prospects for peaceful evolution in the social and economic development on the Don that took place at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, examines the possible motives for the personal political choice faced by family members during the events of the Revolution and the Civil War. The first part represents the life story of the Gorinovs until the middle of 1915, characters and relations between family members. The main theme of the second part is the young man’s perception of the First World War events and the changes that are taking place with him. The study is based on the documents of the family archive.
The article deals with the anthropological aspects of the history of Russian revolutions. Primary focus is on the life of railway engineer N. Gorinov, a native of the provincial merchant family. The example of the Gorinovs reveals the unrealized prospects for peaceful evolution in the social and economic development on the Don that took place at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, examines the possible motives for the personal political choice faced by family members during the events of the Revolution and the Civil War. The first part represents the life story of the Gorinovs until the middle of 1915, characters and relations between family members. The main theme of the second part is the young man’s perception of the First World War events and the changes that are taking place with him. The study is based on the documents of the family archive.
Number of views: 1358 Download in PDF
The Memorialization of the Events and Participants of the Revolution and the Civil War in the South of Russia
Russkaya Starina, 2017, 8(2): 154-172.
Number of views: 1348 Download in PDF
5. Leonid L. SmilovitskyRusskaya Starina, 2017, 8(2): 154-172.
Abstract:
The first memorial objects dedicated to the events and participants of the Russian Revolution and the Civil War were built in the south of the country in 1918–1920. They were created both by the Bolsheviks and by their rivals. However, with the end of the Civil War, the memory of the winners began to be consolidated in the memorial policy. Memorials in honor of representatives of the White movement were created only in emigration. An important direction of the Soviet memorial policy was the creation of monuments in honor of V.I. Lenin, I.V. Stalin, as well as S.M. Kirov, G.K. Ordzhonikidze and other party and state leaders. The new stage in the memorial policy began in the 1990s. It manifested in perpetuating the memory of the opponents of the Bolsheviks, whose activities had previously been suppressed. The memorial conflicts show that a compromise in the estimating of the revolution and the Civil War has not been yet achieved in the memorial policy.
The first memorial objects dedicated to the events and participants of the Russian Revolution and the Civil War were built in the south of the country in 1918–1920. They were created both by the Bolsheviks and by their rivals. However, with the end of the Civil War, the memory of the winners began to be consolidated in the memorial policy. Memorials in honor of representatives of the White movement were created only in emigration. An important direction of the Soviet memorial policy was the creation of monuments in honor of V.I. Lenin, I.V. Stalin, as well as S.M. Kirov, G.K. Ordzhonikidze and other party and state leaders. The new stage in the memorial policy began in the 1990s. It manifested in perpetuating the memory of the opponents of the Bolsheviks, whose activities had previously been suppressed. The memorial conflicts show that a compromise in the estimating of the revolution and the Civil War has not been yet achieved in the memorial policy.
Number of views: 1348 Download in PDF
Love at the War. Women and Men in the Red Army (On the Pages of the Letters and Diaries of Soviet Jews in 1941–1945). Part 1
Russkaya Starina, 2017, 8(2): 173-185.
Number of views: 1437 Download in PDF
6. Diana D. ChelpanovaRusskaya Starina, 2017, 8(2): 173-185.
Abstract:
The article is devoted to the little studied theme of the role of female servicemen in the Red Army during the war and their position in the men's group. Among the 800,000 women in the Soviet Union who participated in the war, the majority took part in the fighting. The author tries to explain how women, who by nature should give birth, educate, teach, and save, but not kill, were able to become soldiers as required in the war. Women shared all the hardships of the front-line situation and bore the burden of war on a par with men. They died from bullets, shells and bombs, burned in airplanes, were wounded and became crippled without arms and legs. Some of them, having withstood all the trials, lost the gift of motherhood and could not create families. The author comes to the conclusion that the greatest merit of women in the army during the war years was that by their presence they allowed men to feel their own strength, to be courageous, to do their duty, to fight and win. This study is based on WW2 correspondence, letters and diaries of Soviet Jews who served in the Red Army, which were recently collected in the archives of the Diaspora Research Center at Tel Aviv University (2012-2017) and now, for the first time, are used for academic purposes.
The article is devoted to the little studied theme of the role of female servicemen in the Red Army during the war and their position in the men's group. Among the 800,000 women in the Soviet Union who participated in the war, the majority took part in the fighting. The author tries to explain how women, who by nature should give birth, educate, teach, and save, but not kill, were able to become soldiers as required in the war. Women shared all the hardships of the front-line situation and bore the burden of war on a par with men. They died from bullets, shells and bombs, burned in airplanes, were wounded and became crippled without arms and legs. Some of them, having withstood all the trials, lost the gift of motherhood and could not create families. The author comes to the conclusion that the greatest merit of women in the army during the war years was that by their presence they allowed men to feel their own strength, to be courageous, to do their duty, to fight and win. This study is based on WW2 correspondence, letters and diaries of Soviet Jews who served in the Red Army, which were recently collected in the archives of the Diaspora Research Center at Tel Aviv University (2012-2017) and now, for the first time, are used for academic purposes.
Number of views: 1437 Download in PDF
The Afghan War (1979–1989) in all-Russian and Regional Assessments
Russkaya Starina, 2017, 8(2): 186-195.
Number of views: 1315 Download in PDF
7. Maria A. AndruninaRusskaya Starina, 2017, 8(2): 186-195.
Abstract:
The article studies the trends of the population¢s attitude towards the war in Afghanistan, 1979–1989. The author conducts a comparative analysis of all-Russian and regional assessments, based on secondary (sociological surveys) and primary (in-depth interviews with combatants of the Afghan war) studies. In the all-Russian perception is observed the weakening of the liberal position with a strengthening of the patriotic feelings. The combatants¢ attitude remains constant, based on a patriotic sense of duty.
The article studies the trends of the population¢s attitude towards the war in Afghanistan, 1979–1989. The author conducts a comparative analysis of all-Russian and regional assessments, based on secondary (sociological surveys) and primary (in-depth interviews with combatants of the Afghan war) studies. In the all-Russian perception is observed the weakening of the liberal position with a strengthening of the patriotic feelings. The combatants¢ attitude remains constant, based on a patriotic sense of duty.
Number of views: 1315 Download in PDF
Season Migrations of Souls in Natural and Domestic Areas as a Mythological Background of a Calendar Remembrance Rites
Russkaya Starina, 2017, 8(2): 196-204.
Number of views: 1395 Download in PDF
8. Russkaya Starina, 2017, 8(2): 196-204.
Abstract:
The article investigates the mythological background of the calendar remembrance rites – belief in the migration of souls in natural and domestic areas. In Russian, Ukranian and Belorussian sources, on which the article is based, main calendar remembrance dates are “dedy” (literally “grandfathers”, taking place several times a year and observed at home) and dedicated to dead days during Easter and Whit Sunday periods. Capital difference between these dates and corresponding rites happens to be actual place selected for them (home, cemetery, forest, crossroad et.) according to ancient beliefs where souls expected to be in different seasons. In winter and fall rites are mostly held at home (“dedy”) in shape of common ritual supper of living and dead, including “nurturing” of souls, who will provide rich harvest in payment for reverent behavior of their live relatives. Also, Christmas festivals include gift collection by carol-singers, who believed to be personifications of dead forefathers, visiting at that time their heirs. With the coming of spring, “opening” the earth, returning of birds and the growth of plants sous of dead are released from the Otherworld, they are frequent in cemeteries and masses of people are visiting their graves, giving presents and communicating with them. In Easter time souls could be present everywhere in the world, in homes of their kinfolk, who used to prepare special food for them and held to strict rules for their benefit; in cemeteries, in fields and forests, where burial keens are performed to the sounds of cuckoo, who imagined to be incarnation of late family member. In Whit period, however, remembrance rites are transferred to different group of souls – mostly to those, who died young, which indicates most ancient basic of spring dead concerning beliefs and practices. The closer to the time of harvest, the lesser rites are becoming – souls previously inhabiting plants, cereals and flowers and making them to grow are starting to retreat, leaving the world with birds. But in this time special type of remembrance rite takes place — sacrificing first fruits of the new harvest to the dead, this custom is later turned into belief of unholy spirits presence in fruits and plants, demanding the chirch blessing of them. In winter souls are believed to be in the Otherworld, from which they are ritually invited to the festive suppers in the circle of their living relatives. This way, through the “opening” and “closing” of earth, growing plants, coming and going of birds the ritual year of remembrance rites is constantly renewing.
The article investigates the mythological background of the calendar remembrance rites – belief in the migration of souls in natural and domestic areas. In Russian, Ukranian and Belorussian sources, on which the article is based, main calendar remembrance dates are “dedy” (literally “grandfathers”, taking place several times a year and observed at home) and dedicated to dead days during Easter and Whit Sunday periods. Capital difference between these dates and corresponding rites happens to be actual place selected for them (home, cemetery, forest, crossroad et.) according to ancient beliefs where souls expected to be in different seasons. In winter and fall rites are mostly held at home (“dedy”) in shape of common ritual supper of living and dead, including “nurturing” of souls, who will provide rich harvest in payment for reverent behavior of their live relatives. Also, Christmas festivals include gift collection by carol-singers, who believed to be personifications of dead forefathers, visiting at that time their heirs. With the coming of spring, “opening” the earth, returning of birds and the growth of plants sous of dead are released from the Otherworld, they are frequent in cemeteries and masses of people are visiting their graves, giving presents and communicating with them. In Easter time souls could be present everywhere in the world, in homes of their kinfolk, who used to prepare special food for them and held to strict rules for their benefit; in cemeteries, in fields and forests, where burial keens are performed to the sounds of cuckoo, who imagined to be incarnation of late family member. In Whit period, however, remembrance rites are transferred to different group of souls – mostly to those, who died young, which indicates most ancient basic of spring dead concerning beliefs and practices. The closer to the time of harvest, the lesser rites are becoming – souls previously inhabiting plants, cereals and flowers and making them to grow are starting to retreat, leaving the world with birds. But in this time special type of remembrance rite takes place — sacrificing first fruits of the new harvest to the dead, this custom is later turned into belief of unholy spirits presence in fruits and plants, demanding the chirch blessing of them. In winter souls are believed to be in the Otherworld, from which they are ritually invited to the festive suppers in the circle of their living relatives. This way, through the “opening” and “closing” of earth, growing plants, coming and going of birds the ritual year of remembrance rites is constantly renewing.
Number of views: 1395 Download in PDF