Development of the Russian socio-economic system: challenges and prospects
- Author:
- Aleksandr I. Kugai
- Work direction:
- Глава 10
- Abstract:
- National self-consciousness is structured in such a way that it is based on historical memory. The past must be presented to the present and experienced by contemporaries. National self-consciousness is formed not so much by science, but rather by the political will of the ruling and intellectual elite. The core of national self-consciousness is formed by the epic mythos. Preservation of national mythology is no less important for the country's sovereignty than preservation of natural resources. Among the most significant political events that determine the national self-consciousness of the current generation of Russian citizens is the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War over Nazi Germany. The chapter analyzes the attitude to Victory Day in different periods of Russian political history: from military heroism to labor enthusiasm (Stalin and Khrushchev periods); giving state status to Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War, as the second most important national holiday after the Great October Socialist Revolution (Brezhnev, Gorbachev periods); under the slogan «war without embellishment» – denigration of the results of the Great Patriotic War» (Yeltsin period); the establishment of Victory Day as the main national holiday (Putin period).
- Keywords:
- historical memory, national identity, The Great Patriotic War, historical education, images of Victory, epic mythos