To clearly indicate "Russianness," belonging to this nation and the expression of its basic idea, they often use such a characteristic expression as "Mother Russia". It is interpreted ambiguously, and in the light of various conceptual and ideological approaches.
Nevertheless, for many years, it has not only remained on the ear, but also has aroused keen interest, giving rise to discussions on what Mother Russia is. In the history of the country, many notable movements sought to interpret this expression in their own way or completely abandoned it, changed it beyond recognition.
General concept
What is Mother Russia? You cannot answer this question briefly. Sooner or later a person begins to understand that there is a nation to which he belongs. This knowledge is not given from birth, but develops gradually with the assimilation of the native language, culture, the study of history and is called national identity (or national identity). It differs from the definition of “citizenship” and “nationality”.
In the event that such self-awareness is developed, for the subject there will be no empty phrase:
- state identity
- national idea
- State symbols.
You need to know when pronouncing “Mother Russia” that such personification is one of the main components of the national identity of our country. It is known within the state and beyond its borders.
The concepts Mother Russia, Mother Russia are used by:
- Mass culture;
- literature;
- political rhetoric;
- art;
- military propaganda.
Moreover, when asked what Mother Russia is, they do not always seek answers. This concept is used as a stable expression.
The symbol of our country (maternal) can be considered as an element of political culture. It is used by power to increase its own legitimacy (that is, for greater agreement and acceptance by the people).
Oppositionists disagreeing with the line of the ruling party also do not shy away from the image of Mother Russia. They only represent her suffering from the arbitrariness of the authorities.
Unites, patronizes, saves
The meaning of the expression "Mother Russia" is multifaceted.
Using it as a national symbol, individual members of society are turning into a single nation. She also participates in the definition of "friends" and "strangers." The first are the children of Russia, whom she helps, and they protect her. And the second ones are enemies, they threaten the integrity and very existence of the country.
And here the potential of the symbol of Mother Russia is great in terms of mobilization for military actions, for example. From the imperial point of view, Russia seems to be the patroness of all nationalities inhabiting the state and a benefactor for the neighbors. The image of Mother Russia, which saves both man and the nation as a whole, also has a great impact on society.
Image history
It dates back to the ancient Mother Goddess (Mother of Earth Cheese) and can be traced through the entire history of the Russian state.
In 1816, medals were issued to the heroes of the war with Napoleon. “People’s militia” was called one of the signs, where the sons took weapons from the hands of Russia, depicted in a female form.
Veliky Novgorod back in 1862 was decorated with the monument “Millennium of Russia”. It is dedicated to that period in the history of the fatherland, when the Varangians were in Russia. Our homeland is embodied in the composition of the monument by a woman on her knees.
Posters, medals, calendars, sculptures in palaces and parks - everywhere there was a place for this symbol.
It was also actively used in propaganda during the Russo-Japanese and World War I. On various canvases, the image symbolized the sorrow of Russia for the fallen heroes, its good and peace intentions, justice. Wisdom and power, sacrifice and power - this is also the meaning put into the image of Mother Russia.
Rebel Russia
The Great October Socialist Revolution, together with the Civil War that followed, brought a visual culture, where Russia is a woman suffering from red barbarism, calling on faithful White Guard sons to save her.
The Bolshevik leaflets did not meet the image of Mother Russia. What was Mother Russia like for proletarians? Firstly, a symbol actively used by the enemy. And besides, the emerging ideology rejected the maternal symbolism of the homeland, replacing it with new class concepts. In place of "mother" stood a young female proletarian. Soul feelings pushed into the background.
In the future, Mother Russia will return to the ideology of the already Soviet Motherland.
Russia in the era of war: Patriotic and cold
During the Great Patriotic War, this image was unusually in demand. On the famous posters that have become symbols of those difficult years (“Mother Motherland is calling!”, “For Mother Motherland!” And others), she appears suffering, but strong. This parent not only calls for battle, but also promises severe punishment for violators oaths and traitors.
In further history, Russia again appeared in the guise of mother. The Cold War era is marked by its replicated images, where a woman who has lost children condemns the arsonists of armed conflicts around the world.
But the warrior’s line there is no less traceable. Not only Mamaev Kurgan in Volgograd is known for Mother Motherland with a sword. There were such sculptures in Yerevan, Kiev, Tbilisi and other cities of the Union republics.
The modern meaning of the expression "Mother Russia"
In connection with the collapse of the Soviet Union, images of this symbol ceased to be national shrines. They began to be used, for example, in advertising for washing powder.
Against this background, it is worth recalling what the image of Russia-woman looked like in the classics:
Oh, my Russia! My wife!
To pain, we have a long way to go! ..
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Oh, who are you, homeland? Old woman?
Or an overbearing wife?
Klyuev
And here is what modern authors write about Mother Russia, what it means to them:
- Nesterova O. Yu.:
Russia, mother Russia!
You are beautiful in your beauty!
Your fields are wider, wider,
You are everywhere, you are everywhere, everywhere.
2. Kobelev Valery:
You, my Russia, my mother,
How beautiful dare be, become yours,
She straightened her back, led her shoulder,
She treated her son with a sweet roll.
And these words are from a folk song:
Let Mother Russia sleep, sleep peacefully!
For Mother Russia, oh, my soul hurts.
On these lines it is already possible to educate the younger generation. Nevertheless, today not only poets and politicians recall this image. There are many people living in the country who consider themselves true children of their homeland and love it regardless of the change of eras. And each of them answers the question of what Mother Russia is, in their own words.