Reflections on Culture and National Identity

Recently, I happened to hear a respected lady, a State Duma deputy from the Communist Party (KPRF), who seems to be an actress, discussing the topic of culture on TV. She claimed that nowadays, there is culture for the rich and culture for the poor. I believe that when we discuss cultural issues, we need to be more attentive.

The Soviet Approach to National Identity and Culture

In Soviet times, we agreed that nationality did not matter in the Soviet Union; we were all Soviet. Our culture was socialist in content. The moral, ethical norms, language, religion, and spiritual world that each nation had developed over centuries were considered irrelevant to the Soviet system. This disregard for national cultures brought about severe consequences after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

I was born and grew up under Soviet rule, and it really seemed to us that nationality, customs, and traditions were relics of the past. We were all one Soviet people. The Communist Party, at its 22nd Congress, set the task of educating a new generation of people who would live in communism, free from national traits, culture, and traditions, with a communist culture and Marxist-Leninist ideology.

Lessons from the 1990s

The 1990s opened my eyes to many things. Our dismissive attitude towards the national cultures of the Soviet Union’s peoples, our lack of understanding of the spiritual world of Uzbeks, Kyrgyz, Balts, Caucasians, and others, resulted in significant strife and animosity among the nations. The turmoil of the 1990s saw many Russians in the Soviet republics and even autonomous regions of the RSFSR forced to leave Russia. This was due to the fact that many Russians, having lived in these republics for decades, did not know the local languages. Soviet rule did not emphasize learning local languages or cultures, as Russian was the state language across all republics.

Consider Soviet history textbooks. They are called “History of the USSR,” yet they barely cover the history of the union republics, sometimes only a few lines in small print. We lived together, fought together in WWII, and built grand communist projects, yet we knew little about each other. Central television and radio broadcasts rarely featured content about the national cultures of the Soviet republics. Only during cultural weeks dedicated to these republics did such content appear, and in the later years, even that practice ceased.

The Current Media Landscape

Today, television is dominated by figures like Pugacheva and her family, and a few others who claim to be stars, though their light is rather dim. If only Yeltsin had studied the history and culture of the Chechens before making his disastrous decision to send tanks to Grozny, he might not have taken such a reckless step that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and severe hardship for millions. I recommend that those dealing with the North Caucasus study the works of the Russian military historian Potto V.A., as they offer many answers to today’s questions.

The current terrorist attacks in our metro are a continuation of the same war that began in 1994. The responsibility for these inhumane attacks lies with those buried with great honors in Novodevichy Cemetery. I understand the anxiety of Moscow residents and others about what the future holds. Can one safely take the metro to work or school tomorrow? The way out is to respect other people’s cultures. Instead of always showcasing celebrities like Galikin, central television could feature the lives and cultures of people from the Caucasus. We should highlight their culture, including their writers, musicians, and artists, and present their way of life and ethnography. The Caucasians have made many positive contributions to Russia, yet we hear only negativity.

Bridging Cultural Gaps

We should show performances from dancers in Chechnya, Kabardino-Balkaria, Dagestan, and Ossetia on central television. By showcasing their culture to all of Russia, perhaps even those who resort to extremism might reconsider their actions. While it is true that Caucasians sometimes act inappropriately, this often stems from a defensive reaction due to feeling unappreciated and disrespected. They should also learn the language and culture of the people they live among. Mass media plays a significant role here. Xenophobia leads to bloodshed and destruction; it is an axiom.

Personal Reflection

I am also a Highlander, an Ossetian. I have lived among Russians for over 60 years and have never felt that I was treated unfairly. I converse with Russians as equals because I know Russian culture as well as any Russian. Russian writers have greatly expanded my worldview and improved my understanding of the environment. I have always admired Russian classical and folk music, and nothing compares to Russian painting. But what is most important is that the Russian people, by protecting my people, saved them from complete annihilation. To understand how deeply connected we are, one must know the history of Russia and their own people. The best way to get to know each other is through increased cultural exchange. This is the key to overcoming hostile relations.