The image of Ismail Gasprinsky in everyday perception of Volga Tatars (late 19th – early 20th century)

Abstract

This article examines the role of the newspaper “Terdzhiman” and of its publisher Ismail Gasprinskiy in everyday life of the Volga Tatars.The Crimean Tatar educator was famous like a popularizer of the new teaching method, he created a unique media channel and he has made the Ottoman variation of European culture popular among the Tatars, he propounded the modernization of different aspects of everyday life. The Muslim identity of Ismail Gasprinsky, his personal achievements and European image reinforced the influence of the ideas he promoted. He was an idol for Tatar youth. Therefore, the publisher of the newspaper “Terdzhiman” has become a symbol of the national progress. At the beginning of the 20th century Tatar businessmen and intellectuals began to use the image of Gasprinsky in promotional products, in the education and trade. However different generations of Tatar intellectuals evaluated personality of Gasprinsky in their own way: in addition to the approval of his educational work, some criticism of his ideas and motives coexisted. This confrontation intensifies after 1905, when other Tatar newspapers and magazines appeared. But the figure of Gasprinsky was legendary, and even after death he remained the main symbol of Tatar education.

Keywords

• i. gasprinsky
• everyday life of the tatars
• urban culture
• jadidism