Regional Identity and Historical Memory Policy: Experience of the Altai Territory and the Altai Republic

The article presents the results of an empirical study including an expert survey conducted in July-August, 2021 with the purpose of identifying opinions on the subject of formation of the regional identity and the historical memory policy in the Altai Territory and the Altai Republic. In total, 50 experts were interviewed representing scientific circles of various specialties (history, political science, sociology, philosophy, economics, and medicine). It is noted that the majority of respondents principally identify the following as the objective factors influencing the identity of residents: «natural potential», «national and cultural heritage», and «historical events». Experts mention the following main accents of the regional authorities in the policy of memory: «honoring» the «symbolic» figures», «establishment of local holidays and memorable dates», «formation and preservation of sites of commemoration». Using the method of content analysis, the key historical events, personalities and symbols of the regions have been determined, which are the most important according to experts. Thus, for the Altai Territory, such a role is assigned to the V.M. Shukshin, and the Big Kolyvan Vase has become the symbol of the region. According to the survey, the painter G.I. Gurkin is considered a «symbolic figure» of the Altai Republic, and the Belukha Mountain is mentioned as the key «site of commemoration». As the main recommendations of the respondents, the following is noted: «improvement of the quality of school education (regional history) », «designing an information space concerning the memorable events», and «making the strategies and practices aimed at solving the socio-economic problems of the regions». The results obtained are correlated with the existing research on this topic.