The system of cultural space is a union of the vital, social, educational and cultural spheres of society. It is a “container”, that is, an internal volume in which cultural processes take place. This is one of the main factors of human existence.
The single cultural space in our country has a territorial extension, in which the outlines of the capital, cultural centers and provinces, cities and rural settlements are visible. Russia is a grand ensemble consisting of peoples united by a common territory, citizenship and centuries-old traditions. About what the system of cultural space is built from, and will be discussed.
Based on a single policy
Based on what is the cultural space built ? The space of culture is built on the basis of policies pursued by the state in this area; based on the formation of common economic and legal conditions for the development of different peoples.
For the first time, such a policy began to be implemented from the end of the 19th century both on the territory of the state and at the interstate level. It was carried out in accordance with the developed concept, adopted laws and signed agreements.
This policy is aimed at the open development of cultural-national autonomies, as well as societies and organizations. It involves a mutual exchange of cultural events and provides opportunities for the development of amateur creativity and professional art.
Unified cultural and educational space
He is considered as one of the principles of state and international education policy. It is carried out during the organization of the educational process in heterogeneous territories or in states where various historical, economic, religious, national and political conditions and traditions have developed.
According to this principle, education is considered in two aspects. On the one hand, as a cultural phenomenon, as a means necessary for a specific people to develop their original culture. On the other hand, this is one of the means of social protection of people, as well as a means to ensure civil rights and freedoms.
A single cultural and educational space is formed on the basis of developing a unified development strategy and creating a unified information system. It also provides for the same rights, regulatory and substantive foundations, uniform rules for admission to educational institutions.
Strategic role
This principle was born in the educational and cultural space of Europe at the end of the 20th century, when the European Union was created. With the help of its application, the convertibility of certificates and diplomas between states, the continuity of the content of education was ensured. Uniform conditions were provided for both receiving, continuing education, and getting a job when moving from one country to another.
This principle turned out to be relevant for Russia and was adopted during the perestroika period. Through its use, it was possible to restrain the separatist principles inherent at that time to the regional policies regarding the center. He contributed to the preservation of education as a state, public and cultural system. In 21st century Russia, it is very important to preserve the unity of peoples and territories, Russian consciousness, a common cultural beginning and spiritual closeness, and the state language.
Unique pattern
The cultural space of our country is a symbiosis of cultures of its constituent peoples and nationalities. It unites them and draws a unique pattern, consisting of original manifestations, while maintaining the uniqueness of cultures, enhancing their attractive force and powerful energy.
This space includes:
- national-ethnic languages of communication;
- traditional forms of household and household way;
- recipes of folk cuisine;
- upbringing techniques of the younger generation;
- monuments - architectural and artistic;
- centers of professional and folk art located in the regions;
- religious denominations;
- historical cultural landscapes;
- nature reserves;
- places of memorable historical events;
- museum cities;
- complexes of education and science at universities.
Regarding the infrastructure of the Russian cultural space, there are various approaches. This is a kind of registration of our national treasure. But not enough is known about him, and for researchers there is a large field of activity.
Unity and diversity
The cultural space of Russia is multidimensional, and it is impossible to unify it. Nevertheless, in history, under the slogan of overcoming differences, there have been many attempts to create the so-called universal culture. But such an experiment, as you know, ended in failure.
The reason for this, in particular, is that culture cannot at all times and for all peoples be one-dimensional, universal, uniform. Such an approach conflicts with its nature and essence, and it “resists” such experiments, even if good intentions are the basis for the actions of their initiators.
The nature of culture is dual, it exists as a “fractional set”, which at the same time is combined into an integrated system. All regions are interconnected and interdependent, complementing each other.
Two models of existence
The cultural space system can function in two directly opposite directions.
- The first of the functions is collective, which promotes national, state, social unification and cohesion.
- The second is scattering, reducing the attractive forces of the regions, making them closed and isolated. It greatly inhibits and weakens the ability of peoples to integrate, the desire to find mutual understanding.
What will the changes lead to?
The modernization and social reforms carried out in Russia had a significant impact on the state of its culture and on the prospects for its development. Some of its spheres fell apart by themselves; others were eliminated; the third, having lost state support, were forced to try to survive at their own peril and risk; the fourth gained a new status and built new priorities.
Today, culture has freed itself from the press of strict ideological control. But she was overtaken by a new vice - financial dependence. Today it is difficult to determine exactly what the consequences of changes will be, how they will affect the value orientation of people, and youth in particular.
Tree of life
Today, the formation of the cultural space is proceeding according to a pluralistic model of development. It combines such factors as:
- Historical continuity.
- Continuity of development.
- Discreteness (separation, the opposite of continuity).
This space has been created by the historical activity of people for many centuries. It can be compared with the tree of life, which has very deep roots and a branched crown. In a sense, it is likened to nature itself, which implies an infinite variety of combinations.
Plurality is observed in any cultural forms. This even applies to a language where such general concepts as vocabulary, the laws by which phrases are built, prevail. However, there is a large number of dialects, slang, argo. And also there are semantic diversity, various intonations and connotations.
The basis of the diversity and diversity of the cultural space is the combination of the special with the universal, the unique with the like.
Isolationism is dangerous
However, it would be wrong to represent the space of culture as a “patchwork quilt,” in which each piece is different in color and shape. With all the diversity, he has a common configuration, thanks to which his mission is fulfilled.
Features of individual regions fit into the overall volume and architectonics. Diversity is dictated by the uniqueness and color of individual areas. Just like unification, isolationism is dangerous; it erases cultural identity. Due to artificial separation, the cultural sphere is narrowing, thereby irreparable damage is inflicted on the spiritual development of the people.
Therefore, cultural contacts are a vital necessity. They represent a lively, natural dialogue between different cultures, carried out on different occasions and everywhere. It is conducted both on weekdays and on holidays, since it is based on mutual interest in cultural manifestations, the desire for interaction and mutual understanding.
The need for dialogue
However, dialogue does not always occur spontaneously. He needs to pay a lot of attention and support. In this case, it is necessary to explain the existence of differences and to overcome the arrogant exaltation of some cultures and neglect of others.
Otherwise, the possibility of a conflict of cultures increases, which grows like a snowball and captures new and new spheres of personal and public life. The division of the cultural space into friends and foes turns into mutual hostility, squabbles, quarrels and weakening of cooperation.
In such a situation, relations based on hostility can turn into combustible material that provokes psychological and social aggression. In this regard, the importance of cultural policy, which in every way promotes dialogue between cultures, is greatly increasing.
Center of gravity
In each region, in the north or south, in the west or in the east, the cultural space has its own centers of attraction and its own territories of influence. This finds expression in the building styles in cities and rural settlements, in the lifestyle and rhythm of life, in observing local customs and various rituals, in the features of meetings and celebrations, in the ways of communication and interests, in values and preferences.
One of these centers of attraction is St. Petersburg. Historically, it emerged as a multinational entity, and each of its ethnic groups participated in the creation of a common Petersburg style. The famous Soviet and Russian cultural scientist Yu. M. Lotman in one of his works wrote about the multiplicity of images and comparisons inherent in the cultural capital. He considered the city at the same time as:
- Russian Amsterdam or Russian Venice;
- the city of Pushkin and Gogol, Blok and Dostoevsky, Brodsky and Akhmatova;
- the imperial residence and the "cradle of revolution";
- courageous hero of the blockade and the center of culture, science, art.
These "different cities" are in a common cultural space. St. Petersburg has become a city of cultural and iconic contrasts, which paved the way for the most intense intellectual life. In this regard, it can be considered a unique phenomenon of the entire world civilization.
The dynamism of the cultural space
Among other things, it is found in waves of cultural contacts that come from internal or external regions. In the culture of Russia, Byzantine, Mongol-Tatar, French, German, American, Chinese influence left a noticeable mark.
Such an influence may affect areas that, at first glance, are autonomous, be it technical innovations, fashion for clothes, product advertising, dog breeds, overseas products, city signs, office design.
However, in the end, all this affects the change in the appearance, and sometimes even the “face” of the cultural space. The penetration of other cultures everywhere entails a whole complex of changes, either long-term or short-term. Over time, many borrowings begin to be perceived as their own achievements.
Due to such a property of culture as its integrity, any influence cannot pass without a trace. It entails many changes in other, at first glance, distant cultural spheres. At the same time, both the way of thinking and the way of life change, and new features are created in the image of a person.