Ruch „Dzwoniące cedry Rosji”. Strategie rekonstrukcji rosyjskiej tożsamości kulturowej

Abstract

The Ringing Cedars of Russia Movement: Reconstructions of Russian Cultural Identity The paper presents the results of ethnographic research conducted in Russia in 2008, in Altai Krai, and in 2010, in its European part. The researcher observed the popularity of the new social movement known as the Ringing Cedars of Russia. Its formation was inspired by The Ringing Cedars Series, where the author, Vladimir Megre, chronicles his meetings with Anastasia, a woman with mysterious powers, in Siberian taiga. She leads him into a world of cosmic consciousness. She is able to solve even most complex social, health and environmental problems. The author refers to the Old Russian spiritual tradition – the institution of starets, influenced by Greek monasticism. It is related to the deeply rooted tradition of Russian apocalyptic and messianic elements, the idea of Russia’s great mission as the Holy Rus’, and the idea of Moscow as the Third Rome. Anastasia is also presented as an alien. She arrived from another planet on a spacecraft in order to pass on to people the saving message. Anastasia’s teaching is mostly focused on ecology which is strictly connected with feminism. A recurring theme throughout all of the books is creating the “Kin’s Domain”, or “Space of Love”, that is, a patch of family-owned land which is developed into a self-sustained type of mini farm. The series inspired many readers worldwide to abandon their old lifestyles in pursuit of a purer existence. These developments are commonly undertaken as part of an eco-village and they celebrate freedom from the unnatural pressure and stress of modern life. The aim is also to revive Slavic traditions (holidays, customs and habits).

Keywords

• Russian idea
• messianism
• cosmism
• cultural identity
• ecology
• Ringing Cedars of Russia