Search Results (188)

The first half of the 19th century witnessed the rise of Romantic poetry, which focused in depth on individual consciousness, inner worlds, and metaphysical inquiries. This poetic orientation became particularly evident in works centred on themes such as solitude, alienation, and existential quests. Within this context, the present study aims to examine the archetypal and poetic resonances of the poetic voice in Mihail Lermontov’s poem The Demon, based on its sixth and final version dated 1841, in relation to Nikoloz Baratashvili’s poem Secret Voice. Lermontov’s poem is analyzed through the English translation by Charles Johnston, published in 1983, while Baratashvili’s poem is discussed based on the 24-line version included in the fifth edition (1895) of the anthology Poems and Letters (Leksebi da Tserilebi). This study explores the thematic and structural similarities between the two poems within the framework of comparative literature and psychoanalytic criticism, focusing on Romantic archetypes, the uncanny, the shadow figure, and ontological solitude. Furthermore, the dialogue established between Lermontov’s demonic narrator and Baratashvili’s introspective poetic voice reopens discussions on the boundaries of cultural memory, oral narrative patterns, and poetic identity. Ultimately, this comparative analysis reveals the implicit influences of The Demon on Georgian poetry and discusses the intercultural resonances of themes such as voice, self, and archetype in Romantic poetry. Full article

The essay offers an expansive and multi-stratified investigation into the role of esoteric traditions within the development of Russian modernity, reframing occultism not as an eccentric deviation but as a foundational epistemological regime integral to Russia’s aesthetic, philosophical, and political evolution. By analyzing the arc from Petrine-era alchemical statecraft to the techno-theurgical aspirations of Russian Cosmism and the esoteric visual regimes of the avant-garde, this essay discloses the deep ontological entanglement between sacral knowledge and modernist radical experimentation. The work foregrounds figures such as Jacob Bruce, Wassily Kandinsky, and Kazimir Malevich, situating them within broader transnational currents of Hermeticism, Theosophy, and Rosicrucianism, while interrogating the role of occult infrastructures in both late-imperial and Soviet paradigms. Drawing on recent theoretical frameworks in the global history of esotericism and modernist studies, the long-read article elucidates the metaphysical substrata animating Russian Symbolism, Abstraction, Malevich’s non-Euclidian Suprematism and Moscow Conceptualism. This study contends that esotericism in Russia—far from marginal—served as a generative matrix for radical aesthetic innovation and ideological reconfiguration. It proposes a reconceptualization of Russian cultural history as a palimpsest of submerged sacral structures, where utopia and apocalypse, magic and technology, converge in a distinctively Russian cosmopoietic horizon. Ultimately, this essay reframes Russian and European occultism as an alternate technology of cognition and a performative semiotic universe shaping not only artistic modernism but also the very grammar of Russian historical imagination. Full article

Background: More than three years have elapsed since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, displacing millions of Ukrainians. While preserving cultural identity in the host country is important for gaining resilience among refugees, we found no studies about how cultural identity influences health care experiences during resettlement. Objective: This study explores how cultural identity shapes health care experiences among Ukrainian refugees during resettlement in the United States. Methods: We conducted an interpretive description study using focus groups to elicit the perspectives of Ukrainian refugees who resettled in North Carolina after 24 February 2022. Twelve Ukrainian women participated in one of four focus groups. Thematic content analysis was employed for case comparison, and themes were inductively derived. Results: Two themes were identified: troubled health care partnerships and imprecise notions of preventive practices. Troubled partnerships represented a lack of trust between refugees and U.S. clinicians and the health care system. Imprecise notions of preventive practices represented mistaken beliefs about prevention. Conclusions: This study adds to the science on refugee health in two ways. First, newly arrived refugees often maintain strong ties to their homeland, which shapes their health care decisions and reinforces their cultural identity. Second, despite being well educated, some refugees held misconceptions about preventive health care, highlighting the need for clinicians to provide clear guidance on primary and secondary prevention practices. Findings may help guide clinicians in delivering culturally sensitive care to refugee populations. Full article

The coastal region of Klaipėda (Lithuania) has experienced major political, economic, social, and cultural transformations since the 20th century. Landscapes as evolving expressions of land use and land cover patterns offer a valuable lens to analyse these changes. This study examines the evolution of physical landscape structures across the pre-Soviet, Soviet, and post-Soviet periods, using historical maps and open-access geospatial data. An ontological approach, combined with morphological and configurational metrics, reveals four major and relatively persistent landscape structures: hydrological systems (sea, lagoon, rivers), forest cover, farming intensity (from extensive grassland use to intensive arable farming), and semi-natural environments. Their structural evolution reflects broader cultural factors, such as contrasting land use traditions between former Prussian and Russian territories. The study also highlights the impact of Soviet collectivisation, marked by irrigation networks, agricultural intensification, and forest expansion. The post-Soviet period is characterised by widespread farmland abandonment and fragmentation, revealing new spatial dynamics and challenges in land reappropriation. Landscape transformations are predominantly structured around agricultural dynamics. Although the analysis was limited by the incomplete availability of data for this specific land use class, the centrality of agriculture in shaping territorial organisation is evident and reinforces the strong rural identity associated with the landscape. Full article

People in multilingual societies develop complex and interconnected food-making and food-discussing networks. On the basis of an experimental course titled “Food at Home, Food on the Move: Globalization and Regionalism in Modern Food Culture” taught at the University of Helsinki, we will show how the acquisition of culinary terminology puts forward the interconnectedness of languages and the dynamics between them in several sociolinguistic contexts. The lectures were grouped geographically: Eating with the Neighbors (Finnish cuisine and Swedish, Russian, Karelian and other influences); From the Baltic to Central Europe (Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, German, and Hungarian food cultures); Formative Cuisines of the Mediterranean (French, Italian, Greek, Middle Eastern cuisine, etc.); and Eating Outside Europe (food culture influences from the US, Mexico, China, Japan, and India). The assignments included a critical lecture diary, an essay about eating experiences, or additional reading, a conversational analysis of a culinary show, or fieldwork in an ethnic restaurant. Raising awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity, motivating course participants to discuss the role and interaction of languages in their repertoire, makes them reflect on their multilingual identities. It allows educators to explore individuals’ DLCs in different contexts while navigating diverse global and local environments based on the principles of fairness and equality in education. Full article

This article looks at the ways in which satirical postcards provided political commentary at a pivotal moment in the Franco-Russian alliance. Often overlooked as a medium of communication, turn-of-the-20th-century postcards reflected contemporary cultural values and were an important art form. Here, the focus is on postcards created by Orens and Mille, two of the best caricaturists of the day, as their work offered scathing critiques of Russia’s constant need for financial assistance from its ally and point to the ways in which the public was growing weary of these demands. Closely examining some of their postcards shows how such sentiments were expressed in visual form while also revealing the power of ephemeral materials as historical sources. Full article

With the rapid development of urban motorized transportation, the narrow and aging streets in historical and cultural districts can no longer meet modern traffic demands. The development of pedestrian systems and the improvement in street walkability have become important issues in the preservation and renewal of these districts. Although walkability research has established a relatively systematic theoretical framework and technical methods, current studies predominantly focus on modern urban roads due to limited attention to the unique characteristics of streets within historical and cultural districts. As a mixed-use area integrating residential, commercial, and tourism functions, the former Russian concession in Hankou features diverse street types and a rich spatial texture, making it a representative case for walkability research in historical districts. This study aimed to construct a walkability evaluation framework suited to the characteristics of such districts. First, relevant literature was reviewed and combined with the actual conditions of streets in the study area to select evaluation indicators and reconstruct the framework. Second, based on multi-source data, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted using spatial syntax, semantic segmentation, and GIS spatial analysis. The results show that streets with high walkability scores are mainly concentrated in the core tourism area and are strongly associated with the distribution of historical buildings. Finally, based on the evaluation results, three groups of representative streets were compared to analyze differences in pedestrian environments. Key issues such as low spatial quality and functional disorder were identified, and targeted optimization strategies are proposed. The findings provide useful references for the future preservation and sustainable renewal of historical and cultural districts. Full article

Effective conservation of large mammals depends on how people perceive them. Grey wolves have a widespread distribution globally, and their recent recolonization of human-dominated landscapes offers an excellent opportunity to understand the heterogeneity in their perception across continents. Our analysis included all quantitative studies (118 articles) conducted in 35 countries through a systematic review process, published globally between 1980–2023 and indexed in Web of Science and Google Scholar. Fifty-four percent of the studies reported a negative perception toward wolves. Most studies conducted in Asia reported a negative perception, while 56% of studies conducted in Europe and 48% in North America reported a positive perception. Fifty-four percent of studies from Western Europe and forty percent of studies from Slavic Russian cultural regions reported positive perceptions. Respondents from low-income countries elicited the most negative perceptions. We identified the predominant religion and economic status of a country as dominant factors determining perception. Studies conducted in countries with Hinduism as the predominant religion reported a negative perception toward wolves. We recommend that future studies on human–wolf interactions must prioritize regions within central Europe, parts of Asia, and Russia. A global human–wolf coexistence strategy should consider the social factors driving attitude toward the species. Full article

The Mandate of the XXV World Russian People’s Council of 27 March 2024 framed the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine as a “holy war”. This paper presents an in-depth textual analysis of the Mandate followed by an extended thematic and contextual analysis. The findings indicate that the Mandate’s mainstream discourses of eschatological–apocalyptic holy war and katechon state were not previously expressed at the level of official church leadership. They contribute to the ideological escalation of the Russian confrontation with Ukraine and the West around declared traditional values and the holy mission of the Russian people, while the involvement of Orthodoxy in the Russian ‘holy war’ narrative is neither exclusive of other religious referents nor of disbelief in ecclesial doctrine. The main referent of the Self (and correspondingly, of the sacred) is the (Russian) ‘nation’ or ‘people’, for which ‘spiritual’ and ‘civilizational’ are comprehensive religious markers of cultural identity. While two religious adversaries of the Russian geopolitical agenda of Ukraine—the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Ukrainian Orthodoxy—are not directly mentioned in the Mandate, it nevertheless attempts to re-formulate an Orthodox ‘just war’ theory, intensifies antagonistic inter-Orthodox relations in the Russia–Ukraine dimension and strengthens the resolve of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and the Russian Federation to retain Ukraine’s Orthodox Church as an exclusively Russian space. Full article

This article explores the features of speech practices of young people in Kazakhstan in the conditions of interaction between Kazakh, Russian, and English, taking into account the influence of the digital environment and modern socio-cultural factors. The relevance of this study is determined by the rapid transformation of the language situation in Kazakhstan, where traditional bilingualism is evolving under the influence of globalisation and digital factors, contributing to the formation of new models of language interaction in the youth environment. The aim of this research is to study the mechanisms of language functioning in different communicative contexts, including digital communication. As a methodological basis, the methods of sociolinguistic and discourse analysis were applied, including the collection and interpretation of young people’s written texts, as well as interviewing respondents to identify their language preferences and communication strategies. The empirical analysis allowed us to identify new models of young people’s linguistic behaviour in various communicative environments, including online space. The leading factors influencing the choice of language code were identified, and the characteristic mechanisms of integrating elements of Kazakh, Russian, and English into a single speech act were recorded. Special attention is paid to the specifics of language interaction in digital environments, where hybrid forms of communication are observed due to technological and globalisation processes. This study considers the speech of young people not only as a linguistic phenomenon, but also as an instrument of intercultural communication, reflecting trends in the development of polylingualism. The findings of this study can be used to improve language policy and to develop educational programmes that take into account modern trends in youth communication. Full article

This study examines the role of multilingualism in intercultural business communication among professionals in Kazakhstan, where business discourse reflects a unique combination of language planning, individual competencies, and integration of traditions with modern economic demands. Shaped by globalization, historical influences, and geopolitical factors, Kazakhstan’s business communication is characterized by the use of Kazakh, Russian, and English, along with other foreign languages. Using semi-structured interviews with 19 business professionals from 13 companies, the study examines multilingual practices, language learning processes, and the impact of cultural factors on workplace interactions. Findings reveal that Kazakh, Russian, and English serve distinct functions in professional settings: Kazakh, as the state language, is gaining prominence in the business sphere, particularly in official documentation and government-mandated communication; Russian remains dominant in private and regional business interactions; and English is indispensable for international business. While proficiency in multiple languages facilitates overcoming intercultural barriers, differences in negotiation styles, non-verbal communication, and decision-making processes highlight the need for cultural flexibility in business settings. The study underscores the necessity of implementing well-structured and context-sensitive language policies while advocating for the integration of professional multilingual training into educational curricula to bridge the gap between academic preparation and workplace demands. This research contributes to a broader understanding of how multilingualism shapes professional identity, workforce mobility, and intercultural competence in Kazakhstan’s increasingly globalized business landscape. Full article

This text explores the life and legacy of Sergei Kuriokhin, a multifaceted artist who profoundly impacted Soviet and post-Soviet culture. Known for his radical experimentation in music, theater, and film, Kuriokhin defied conventional genres through his groundbreaking project, ‘Pop Mechanics’, which blended jazz, classical music, rock, circus acts, and more. His provocative performances often included surreal elements and bizarre satire, challenging cultural norms and the boundaries of Soviet censorship. Kuriokhin’s influence extended into politics, where his satirical “Lenin was a Mushroom” program questioned historical and ideological narratives, stirring public debate. His charisma, intellectual depth, and penchant for the absurd made him a central figure in Leningrad’s avant-garde scene. Kuriokhin collaborated with prominent artists and philosophers, leaving an indelible mark on Russian art and political discourse. This work, presented through the reflections of his close associates, offers insights into his lasting impact on Russian culture, blending history with personal mythologies. Full article

Understanding the factors that influence teacher well-being is crucial as it significantly affects students, teachers, schools, and the sustainability of the education system, especially during prolonged emergencies. This study contributes to the field by empirically testing a conceptual model of teacher well-being in emergency contexts, specifically addressing the COVID-19 school closures with a sample of over 19,600 teachers from Kazakhstan through an online survey design. Utilising a multidimensional socio-ecological framework that considers individual, school and home, community, and national factors, this study identifies key predictors of teacher self-reported well-being. Individual-level predictors explained 9.3% of the variation in physical well-being (F = 118, p < 0.001, R² = 0.093) and 4.5% in psychological well-being (F = 72.2, p < 0.001, R² = 0.045). In contrast, school- and home-level predictors demonstrated significantly greater explanatory power, accounting for 21.9% (F = 128, p < 0.001, R² = 0.219) and 15.5% (F = 89.5, p < 0.001, R² = 0.155) of the variation in physical and psychological well-being, respectively. Community-level predictors explained 12.8% of the variation in physical well-being (F = 191, p < 0.001, R² = 0.128) and 10.2% in psychological well-being (F = 324, p < 0.001, R² = 0.102), while national-level predictors accounted for much smaller proportions: 0.67% for physical well-being (F = 21.8, p < 0.001, R² = 0.0067) and 1.4% for psychological well-being (F = 83.589, p < 0.001, R² = 0.014). These findings highlight the significant influence of home and school, as well as community-level predictors, on teacher well-being during emergency contexts, suggesting that interventions targeting these areas may be particularly effective in supporting teacher well-being. The findings reveal that while Kazakhstani teachers reported poor physical well-being, they generally had a more positive assessment of their psychological well-being. Vulnerable groups included women, older teachers, non-Kazakh teachers, and those with higher education levels, as well as teachers in Russian medium and mixed-medium schools, all of whom reported lower physical and psychological well-being. Additional risk factors identified were a lack of student engagement, difficult relationships with parents, a directive leadership style, family conflicts, and inadequate resources at home and school. Conversely, protective factors such as teacher autonomy, collegiality, networking opportunities, and self-efficacy emerged as significant contributors to well-being. These findings reveal a complex interplay between cultural factors and subjective perceptions of well-being. This study emphasises the critical role of these predictors in both emergency and non-emergency contexts, underscoring the urgent need for targeted policies and programmes that sustainably support and enhance teacher well-being holistically. This approach will promote Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 (well-being) and ensure access to equitable quality education (SDG 4) for all learners, ultimately contributing to the overall resilience of educational systems. Full article

We analyze the Google matrix of directed networks of Wikipedia articles related to eight recent Wikipedia language editions representing different cultures (English, Arabic, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Chinese). Using the reduced Google matrix algorithm, we determine relations and interactions of 23 society concepts and 17 religions represented by their respective articles for each of the eight editions. The effective Markov transitions are found to be more intense inside the two blocks of society concepts and religions while transitions between the blocks are significantly reduced. We establish five poles of influence for society concepts (Law, Society, Communism, Liberalism, Capitalism) as well as five poles for religions (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Chinese folk religion) and determine how they affect other entries. We compute inter-edition correlations for different key quantities providing a quantitative analysis of the differences or the proximity of views of the eight cultures with respect to the selected society concepts and religions. Full article

At the time of its construction, which started in 1913, the architectural design of Moscow’s Kazan Station was considered by many to be out of step with the avant-garde creative energies that pervaded fin-de-siècle Russian culture. The same opinion applied to the artworks that were installed to decorate the station’s interior. In the decades since, art historians have generally shared the judgments levied by those who complained about the station’s supposed deficits in the 1910s. The purpose of this article is to show that, while the designs and décor of Kazan Station were indeed anachronistic—especially considering the high-tech purposes and functions of the industrial-era railroad station—the anachronism, far from reflecting a lack of awareness or innovative ability, resulted from conscious decisions on the part of Alexei Shchusev as architect, Alexandre Benois as the individual who selected artists to work on the station, and the artists themselves, including Nikolai Roerich and Pavel Kuznetsov, namely, those who built and decorated the station deliberately concealed the station’s inherently modernist and utilitarian nature behind a backward-looking, past-oriented façade, both to fulfill their mission of commemorating old Russia’s imperial expansion and subjugation of the East and to assuage the social and cultural anxieties often stirred up in the late 1800s and early 1900s by the construction of infrastructural assets such as railroad stations. Full article