The Phenomenon of Harbin as a Polyphonic City

Abstract

The article attempts to study the features of Harbin, a city in Manchuria (northeastern China), which for several decades was considered a “Russian island” in China. Founded in 1898 in connection with the construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway, the city went through several stages in its development and experienced different influences. The main emphasis is placed on the symbolic meaning of Harbin, its polyphony, the problem of interaction of cultures, and the possibility of compromise and co-existence of different ideologies, national and social groups.

Keywords

• harbin
• harbinites
• manchuria
• china
• russian emigration
• ussr
• interaction of cultures
• polyphony of the city