Russian National Identity and History Today: Research on the Presentation of National Identity in Russian Children's Books on History
Abstract
This study describes the concepts of Russian national identity and Russian history that are presented in Russian children's books on history. The analysis allowed for the reformulation of the semantic profiles of "Russia," "Russian Empire," "Soviet Union," "Great Patriotic War," and "Russian people." These concepts include key aspects of Russian national identity and history.
A comparison with Soviet and post-Soviet textbooks has demonstrated that current concepts are directly related to those of the Soviet and post-Soviet period. Russian history is told as linear and harmonious, practically inevitable in its course.
It ranges from the Kiever Rus to the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union to today's Russia. Russia, the Russian nation with the tsar at its center, embodies a beautiful world.
The children's books narrate in simple and clear form the myth of the distinctiveness of the Russian nation and its historical path.