Medievalism in Russian and Ukrainian Political Discourses

by Anastasija Ropa

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Extent: 210 pages

Publisher: Trivent Publishing

Subjects: Medieval Studies, Slavic Studies, Social Sciences 

Series: Medievalism

Series volume number: 3

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(March 2025)

ISBN: 9786156696472

5.79 x 8.23 inches

Price: $67.00

In stock

PDF (Published)

(March 2025)

ISBN: 9786156696489

Price: $54.00

Medievalism has been a common and hardly innocent practice in Eastern European political discourses ever since the dissolution of the USSR in the 1990s. To use but one example, both Russia and Ukraine have laid claims on such prominent historical figures as Prince Vladimir / Volodymyr the Great, Princess Olga, Boris and Gleb/Hlib, as well as on such semi-legendary characters as Ilya of Murom. The recent military conflict has led to a renewal of interest in the history of medieval Rus’ and to the rewriting and falsification of this history, particularly in the public sphere, education and political discourse. This multidisciplinary volume draws together contributions from scholars from different countries and different disciplinary backgrounds, who analyze a variety of media and sources in which medievalisms can be manifested. The authors examine the uses of medievalising statues, fiction, cartoons, tourism and popular history in Ukrainian and Russian political discourses. The aim of this volume is to take a balanced and wide-ranging approach to medievalism as a political weapon and a cultural mainstay and to facilitate a fruitful and respectful dialogue among scholars coming from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds with an interest in Slavic studies, medievalism, the use of history in public discourse and the history of ex-Soviet and post-communist countries.

  • By (author) Anastasija Ropa