The Provincial Dimension of Sociocultural Change: Based on the Ethnological Monitoring of the Kostroma Region in 2020–2025

DOI: 10.33876/2311-0546/2025-4/73-90

Authors

Keywords:

ethnological monitoring, sociocultural changes, Kostroma Oblast, demography, problems, achievements

Abstract

This article presents a study of economic and sociocultural changes in the Kostroma Region from 2020 to 2025. Drawing on a variety of ethnological monitoring data, the authors examine the achievements and challenges arising as a result of inevitable societal transformation. The primary focus is on socioeconomic development, living standards, and the daily challenges of the region's residents, as well as on changes in traditional lifestyles, the impact of globalization and urbanization, and the preservation of cultural heritage and traditions. The paper analyzes factors contributing to the shift in the cultural identity of provincial residents, including migration, the region's economic development, and others. The study reveals that despite positive trends, such as growing interest in the history and culture of the region, significant challenges remain, including economic decline, low incomes, and poor healthcare and education. The authors offer a number of recommendations for improving the situation, including creating conditions for the development of local initiatives, supporting youth projects, and implementing educational programs aimed at preserving and promoting local cultural heritage.

Author Biographies

  • Natalya Belova, the Russian Academy of Sciences N. N. Miklouho-Maklay Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology

    Belova, Natalya A. — Ph.D. in History, Research Fellow at the Center for Ethnopolitical Studies, the Russian Academy of Sciences N. N. Miklouho-Maklay Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology (Moscow, Russian Federation). E-mail: belova@iea.ras.ru ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7675-7419

  • Andrey Belov, Kostroma State University

    Belov, Andrey M. — Doctor of History, Professor, Kostroma State University (Kostroma, Russian Federation). E-mail: belovi_1957@mail.ru

    For citation: Belova, N. A., and A. M. Belov. 2025. The Provincial Dimension of Sociocultural Change: Based on the Ethnological Monitoring of the Kostroma Region in 2020–2025. Herald of Anthropology (Vestnik antropologii) 4: 73–90.

    Funding: The study was carried out as a part of the research plan of the Russian Academy of Sciences N. N. Miklouho-Maklay Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology.

    References

    Belov, A. M., and N. A. Belova. 2022. Migracionny`e processy` i ix vliyanie na social`no-e`konomicheskoe razvitie Central`noj Rossii na primere Kostromskoj oblasti [Migration Processes and Their Impact on the Socioeconomic Development of Central Russia: The Case of the Kostroma Region]. Herald of Anthropology (Vestnik Anthropologii) 1: 243–263.

    Tishkov, V. A. 2004. Opyt etnologicheskogo monitoringa [Experience of Ethnological Monitoring]. Moscow: Deutsch-Russischer Austausch. 188 p.

    Tishkov, V. A., and V. V. Stepanov. 2013. Ob etnologicheskom monitoringe v Rossii [On Ethnological Monitoring in Russia]. In Etnopoliticheskaya situaciya v Rossii i sopredel`ny`x gosudarstvax v 2013 godu. Ezhegodny`j doklad Seti e`tnologicheskogo monitoringa i rannego preduprezhdeniya konfliktov [The Ethnopolitical Situation in Russia and Adjacent States in 2013. Annual Report of the Ethnological Monitoring and Conflict Early Warning Network], ed. by V. A. Tishkov, V. V. Stepanov. Moscow: IEA RAS. 643 p.

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Published

14.12.2025

Issue

No. 4 (2025): Herald of Anthropology (Vestnik antropologii)

Section

The Anthropology of Modern Society