Journal of Frontier Studies

Images of the Industrial Frontier in the Context of the Energetics’ Development in Eastern Siberia

Yuriy V. Ryabov, Andrey A. Gruzdev (Author) — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0300

The article focuses on the images of the industrial frontier in the context of hydropower development in Eastern Siberia during the Soviet period. Despite the rich experience domestic researchers have accumulated, they have overlooked several aspects of Eastern Siberia’s industrial development. The article explores these images as depicted in Soviet literature, journalism, poetry, and fine art from the various periods. These depictions include the study and construction of the Angara and Yenisei cascade of hydroelectric power plants, reflecting the Soviet state’s ideological attitudes.

The authors conclude that the images of the industrial frontier, while varying in character, shared many common features across different periods. Furthermore, the Soviet leadership used the creation of these multiple images to solve several important national tasks. These tasks ranged from attracting labor resources to Siberian construction sites to fully integrating the East Siberian region into the life of the Soviet state and society.

Teachers and students interested in the industrial development of Eastern Siberia in the twentieth century will find the article relevant.

The Vietnamese Market in a Post-Soviet City: History, Social Boundaries, and Infrastructure (A Case Study of Magnitogorsk)

Andrey A. Avdashkin (Author) — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0300

The phenomenon of ethnic markets, most often Chinese, in Russian cities has been long studied, but the mechanisms behind the formation of similar markets characterized by the ethnicity of other migrant groups such as the Vietnamese, remain unclear. Taking Magnitogorsk as an example, this article seeks to answer the following questions: how does a “Vietnamese” market emerge, what meanings do city residents attribute to this construct, and what role does it play in the everyday life of various migrant groups. The source base includes results from fieldwork in Magnitogorsk, archival documents, and both electronic and print media. The methodological framework of the manuscript encompasses analytical sociology, mobility theory, and the concept of the right to the city. It was established that the Vietnamese market does indeed exist in the minds of Magnitogorsk residents; however, it quickly evolved as the focus of the host community shifted to migrants from Tajikistan. The presence of the latter served as a basis for redefining the boundaries of “our” and “foreign” locations, with visitors from Vietnam becoming merely an addition to the general structure of interactions between “locals” and “migrants”. The infrastructure of Vietnamese “guests” is as concealed as possible, which is caused by their role as a minority subjected to various discriminatory practices. The hypothesis is that the market, labeled by the townspeople as Vietnamese, and its location, became the organizational foundation for the development of the social infrastructure of other migrant groups, primarily the immigrants from Tajikistan.

“Own Foreign Land”: The Transformation of Attitudes Towards the Pre-War Past of the Region in the “Kaliningradskiy Komsomolets” Newspaper During the Perestroika Period

Angelina V. Saenko (Author) — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0300

The perestroika-time public discussion about the “white spots” of history in the Kaliningrad region focused on the history of East Prussia, which had previously been under a tacit ban. This article analyzes publications about the pre-war past of the region in the popular youth newspaper “Kaliningradskiy komsomolets” from 1985-1991. It examines the process of changing the regional historical narrative and characterizes the transformation of the historical memory of Kaliningrad residents during the years of perestroika. The paper aims to trace how the “discovery” of East Prussian themes occurred, who promoted the new historical narrative and by what means, and the stages through which the process of “appropriation” of the cultural heritage inherited after the war by the inhabitants of the region went. The study utilized a qualitative-quantitative content analysis method of newspaper texts, conducted with the help of the MAX QDA 2020 program. The results were interpreted using the categories of “Our Own” and “the Other” from B. Wandelfels’ philosophical concept and P. Nora’s “place of memory” one. The paper concludes that by the early 1990s, Kaliningrad society had varied approaches to the “pre-Soviet” period ranging from denial of the significance of the “foreign” and “the Other” heritage to its full acceptance as “one’s own”. The analysis of the content of the publications, including the commemorative practices reflected in the newspaper, shows that the regional historical narrative changed during the years of perestroika. The course of “exorcising the Prussian spirit”, approved immediately after the war, although not completely eradicated, became a marginal phenomenon, while the study, preservation, and utilization of the experience and historical and cultural heritage of the predecessors became the dominant trend in which the press of the glasnost’ era played a significant role.

The Role of Weather and the Natural-Climate Factor in the Daily Nomadic Life of the Kalmyks in the Context of Traditional Nature Utilization: Effective Frontier Practices

Ellara U. Omakaeva, Ekaterina N. Badmaeva (Author) — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0300

The article is devoted to the role of the climate factor and weather in the everyday nomadic life and history of the Kalmyks, closely linked with traditional nature management. Based on the study of published and archival materials from the State Archive of the Astrakhan Region, the State Archive of the Saratov Region, and the National Archive of the Republic of Kalmykia, the article examines the main features of the nature management system, the functioning and life of the Kalmyk nomadic society in new geographical conditions, and analyzes the processes of adaptation of nomads to the specific resources of an arid ecosystem. For the Kalmyks, who led a nomadic lifestyle in the past, nature was not only a habitat but also the basis of life. Moving in search of pastures for livestock, Kalmyk pastoralists learned to use natural resources rationally. The article shows how people tried to harness these resources through magical rites. The nomadic way of life, the economic structure, the natural landscape, and the life of the nomad cattle breeder – all predetermined the nature of magic as a whole. Special attention is paid to a system of prohibitions related to nature, land, and water. “Russia’s Steppe Frontier” is an invaluable resource for understanding the Kalmyks’ historical experience in the field of nature management.

Inventing Traditions in Minority Nationalisms: Political Sovereignty and Historical Trauma in the Iroquois Nationalist Imagination

Maksym W. Kyrchanoff (Author) — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0300

The author analyzes the characteristics of the invention of traditions in modern Iroquois nationalism, a minority nationalist movement in the United States. The study examines the invention of traditions within the methodological frameworks of modern interdisciplinary historiography, particularly focusing on interventionist and imaginative turns, which are integral to analyzing minority nationalism. The author suggests that: 1) most traditions invented in modern Iroquois nationalism are political; 2) the concepts of “statehood” and “sovereignty” are central to the functioning of these political traditions; 3) the invention of traditions underscores the historical trauma of colonization and the institutionalization of the Iroquois’ unequal status as a minority group; 4) reproducing these invented traditions in political discourse is an effort to revitalize Iroquois identity; 5) the invented traditions of Iroquois nationalism serve a compensatory purpose, aiming to overcome the collective historical trauma of losing their political state tradition. Overall, the author suggests that the development of Iroquois nationalism hinges on the invention of traditions, which Native American ethnic and political activists actively use to consolidate Iroquois identity in the United States.

Characteristic features of Reformation in Hungary and the Formation of the Unitarian (Anti-Trinitarian) Church in Transylvania in the Second Half of the 16th Century

Mikhail Yu. Shlyakhov, Nina V. Starikova (Author) — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0300

This article examines the peculiarities of the Reformation process in the Hungarian territories, followed by the formation of a Unitarian (Anti-Trinitarian) church in Transylvania in the 16th century. The study aims to identify the specific features and periodization of this process in the said area. The first feature is the complex ethnic composition of the population, which led to political and religious opposition and the strengthening of state power by certain ethnic groups that adopted Protestant religious doctrines. The second feature is related to the complex military-political situation in Central Europe in the 16th century: the disintegration of the Kingdom of Hungary, the annexation of parts of the disintegrated kingdom by the Ottoman Empire, which led to several major Austro-Turkish wars and constant border skirmishes. This resulted in the emergence of various vassal formations and the use of interfaith conflict as a means to achieve success in military-political confrontations. The third feature, closely related to the previous ones, is the strengthening of magnate clans, which, in the context of weak government and a challenging international situation, became independent political forces significantly influencing the religious processes in the country. These characteristics of Reformation in the Hungarian territories led, in the second half of the 16th century, to a substantial expansion of Protestantism supporters and an increase in the number of Protestant denominations. In the small, frontier, vassal state of the Eastern Hungarian kingdom under the Ottoman Empire, the widest religious freedom in Europe was granted. A few years later, a Unitarian (Anti-Trinitarian) Christian church was established, receiving equal rights with all other religious denominations. It continues to exist in Hungary and Romania. This study will be of interest to the researchers of history of Reformation and religion in general.

From “Decisive Hostility” to “Cordial Agreement”: “The Times” on the Evolution of Britain’s Image in Russian Press at the Beginning of the 20th Century

Lidia V. Antonova (Author) — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0300

The article deals with the reflection of the image of Britain in the analytical reviews of “The Times” newspaper on the pages of the Russian periodical press at the beginning of the 20th century.

The study covers the period from the turn of the 19th–20th centuries until 1907, when the relations between Russia and Britain transitioned from extreme tension and rivalry in different regions of the world to an alliance within the Triple Entente. At this time, the press became truly massive and exerted a stronger influence than ever on the development of international relations. One of the leading English newspapers, “The Times”, took a largely pro-government stance and reflected the official position on foreign policy issues. It regularly reviewed the publications in the Russian press concerning Anglo-Russian relationship or British politics in general.

As a result of the analysis of “The Times” reviews, it is possible to show the significance of the British political image, the dynamics of public opinion in the Russian Empire regarding a possible confrontation or Anglo-Russian rapprochement. The Russian press formed among readers a certain perception of Britain in the context of the Anglo-Boer War, the events in the Far East, the process of resolving contradictions, and the conclusion of the 1907 agreement, while the English press reflected on this image. The transformation of rhetoric in the press happened as rapidly as the changes in relations between the two powers.

From Kimono to Big Mac: An Analysis of Russian Internet Queries as a Reflection of Stereotypes Forming Images of the Other

Rastyam T. Aliev (Author) — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0300

The study addresses the analysis of the ethnic “Other” images in the stereotypes of Russians, utilizing data from internet searches in Yandex and Google search engines. The primary issue is to understand how frequently encountered queries reflect cultural representations and biases, shaping the collective perception of various ethnic groups. The aim of the article is to analyze and comprehend the dynamics of public opinions and views on various aspects of other cultures, including dietary, vestimentary, and sexual habits. The research focuses on identifying key markers that Russians associate with different ethnicities.

The results demonstrate that the analysis of internet search queries can reflect a comprehensive level of public interest, fears, and apprehensions towards the cultural “Other.” The study provides a detailed view of the various forms of societal response, ranging from interest and curiosity to fears and prejudices. The analysis also revealed significant moments of intensification of interethnic tensions and changes in public discourse, particularly in the context of perceiving and interpreting cultural differences.

The conclusions of the research emphasize the importance of an objective analysis of internet queries for understanding public views and opinions about different ethnic groups. The article will be useful for researchers in the fields of cultural studies, sociology, and for those interested in studying the dynamics of cultural interaction and the perception of the ethnic “Other” in contemporary society.

Grids: Re-considering Infrastructural Politics of Urban Space

Daria A. Kolesnikova (Author) — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0300

For many centuries, the principle of linear planning based on a grid pattern has played a significant role in the spatial organization of urban boundaries. Additionally, the grid principle has formed the basis for policies and practices related to the emergence of “disciplinary societies”, leading to the modern networked society. Drawing on the concept of the grid as a cultural technique by media philosopher Bernhard Siegert, this article examines the functioning of the grid as epistemic frameworks and the media of representation, order, and filteration. The article also provides insights into the manifestation of the grid principle in the context of the emerging field of social research on infrastructures, including the digital infrastructure of smart cities. This encompasses a wide spectrum, from smart devices and everyday communication to pervasive sensors and big data, from the sharing of images and impressions to advanced prosthetics, from the development of smart cities to the deployment of surveillance technologies and predictive algorithms. Through a range of case studies, from the study of structured territorial control of the Roman limitatio to the efficient grid patterns of pre-fabricated housing districts worldwide, the research examines the potential and transhistorical nature of the grid principle. The article is intended for media philosophers, anthropologists, urbanists and digital culture theorists.

The Mythological Frontier as a Key to Understanding the Other: A Review of the “Myths from A to Z” Book Series

Sofya A. Rezvushkina, Kirill E. Rezvushkin (Author) — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0300

The authors employ the concept of the “mythological frontier” for analyzing the mythology of small communities, acknowledging that geographic and linguistic borders often do not coincide with mythological boundaries. Using philosophical anthropology, the mythological frontier helps to define the limits of the Other, enabling engagement with myth and the mythological from the periphery of contemporary consciousness.

This paper aims to critically assess the “Myths from A to Z” series published by Mann, Ivanov, Ferber. This series covers a wide range of mythologies, including Scandinavian, Egyptian, Celtic, Indian, Greco-Roman, Sumerian, Japanese, Korean, Romanian, Slavic, Volga, and Karelian-Finnish. Myths are crucial for understanding the environment and drawing upon our cultural legacy, playing a significant role in helping individuals find meaning in the world and establish shared cultural and personal identities.

The authors adopt various approaches to analyze the mythology of specific communities, focusing on the relationships between myth and culture, myth and fairy tale, or myth and epic. They also attempt to reconstruct comprehensive mythological systems or the historical pasts of the communities under study. A common theme across most books in the series is the self-construction and understanding of the Other (a different culture) through the “mythological frontier”, although this is not always explicitly stated.

The Rural Borderland House: Functional‑Spatial and Ritual-Symbolic Specificities

Anna Yu. Kazakova (Author) — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0300

This publication reviews the monograph by Polish researcher and PhD in Architecture Magdalena Sulima, which addresses the topics of architectural and ceremonial specifics of traditional rural housing in border territories. under-studied in Russia: Sulima, M. Dom pogranicza w kulturze wsi podlaskiej. – Białystok: Oficyna Wydawnicza Politechniki Białostockiej, 2018. – 277 p. The novelty of the work lies in identifying the specific features of the borderland from the perspective of preserving archaic elements in house-building, structuring of home space, and its use in calendar and family rituals. The monograph may interest Russian-speaking readers not only due to its interdisciplinary approach to studying the house and dwelling but also for defining the specifics of border identity and developing its typology. Further studies of dwellings in zones of intensive ethno-cultural contact can broaden the relatively scarce domestic tradition of understanding and conceptualizing the dwelling as a frontier topos.