National Heroes of Russia as Perceived by Students of Schools and Universities in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kirov region

DOI: 10.33876/2311-0546/2022-2/42-53

Abstract

Appealing to historical memory in order to identify and analyze the personalities significant for nation-building allows, among other things, to judge the key reference points that determine the direction of society's development. The empirical data was based on the results of a mass survey conducted among students in Moscow, St. Petersburg and the Kirov region in 2018–2019. One of the results of the current study was the creation of a list of personalities who, in the opinion of young people, can be considered a source of pride for Russians. Among the named heroes the names of the rulers of the Russian state from antiquity to the present day are mentioned in the first place – more than half of the respondents give preference to this category of figures. The names of famous writers and military leaders are also mentioned relatively frequently. Moscow students are beginning to pay attention to the work of scientists and statesmen who do not have the highest authority. A comparative analysis of the responses depending on the age, gender, ethnic and civic (inclusion of oneself in the Russian community) of students indicates the importance of these parameters in the formation of historical memory and makes it possible to show a number of features of youth perception of Russian reality.