Figures of national and regional history in the cultural memory of Kalinin-graders
- DOI
- 10.5922/vestnikhum-2025-2-7
- Pages
- 88—102
Abstract
Based on the analysis of the data from a mass survey of the population of the Kaliningrad region conducted in 2023, a preliminary hypothesis is proposed regarding the specifics of the regional variant of the “pantheon of heroes” — an important structural element of the cultural memory of Kaliningrad residents. Peter the Great (across all age groups), Joseph Stalin, and Catherine II possess the greatest potential as “symbols of Russia,” whose activities respondents generally evaluate positively. At the same time, regarding Joseph Stalin and Vladimir Lenin as historical figures, a conflict potential is revealed in the historical memory of Russian society concerning their activities and era. Immanuel Kant is most frequently associated with the regional past, while figures from national history whose names are reflected in local toponymy or connected to the formation of the region are much less so. A distinctive feature of the regional variant of cultural memory is the lower popularity of outstanding representatives of Russian culture compared to the “statesmen.”