Abstrakt
This review examines the book Cultural History of Russia published in 2020 by the publishing house of Charles University, Prague. This inquiry into the main areas of interest in both past and contemporary history of Russia has long been expected not only by students, specialists in Russian studies and in cultural studies, but also by a broad audience of those is interested in Russian cultural history.
The authors seek to arrange the book according to the conceptual model; this innovative approach aims at underlining such cultural concepts that are basic and constitutive of the modern Russian culture. For these ends, facts, achievements and problems of the Russian cultural history are interpreted.
The authors introduce students and readers to modern Russia, endowed with centurieslong heritage, multinationalism, large territory, but also with cultural contradictions and clashes.The book resolves a hard issue of presenting the real amalgam of views of the Russians on such disputes, and pays special attention to the Russian mass media and Runet. Therefore, suggests the book, modern Russians are in search of cultural identity, which is proved by heated discussions.
The nine chapters help readers to get rid of the usual stereotypes in the image of Russians, invites the public to reflect on the achievements and contradictions of the cultural history of Russia. Discussion questions and tasks are what helps students that would read the book engage with the Russian realities and with each other.
What is also beneficial for the use of this book in classes is that it is written according to the standards allowing a non-native speaker who has an A2-B1 level of Russian to understand all the information efficiently. To adapt the book to the needs and mental realities of European students, it is published in both print and digital format - the latter includes extra video and audio tapes.
In the context of integrating the students with the material the authors should also be given the credit. They entangle the history and culture of medieval, modern and 21th century Russia with European history and the global cultural space.
Overall, the book serves as an example in both fields: the cultural research and the textbook initiating and enhancing lingual and cultural understanding of Russian realities. The publication will remain a landmark among the educational achievements not only of the Charles University, but also of the community of European scholars specializing in Russian studies.