Subcultures and New Religious Movements in Russia and East-Central Europe (Cultural Identity Studies)

The collapse of communism has opened up Russia and East-Central Europe to outside influences and enabled new lifestyle choices and forms of religious expression. Based on extensive ethnographic research, this collection uses a variety of theoretical perspectives and methodologies to examine some of the many subcultures and new religious movements that have emerged as part of this process, from members of utopian eco-communities, native-language hip-hoppers and nationalistic skinheads to various forms of Indian-inspired spirituality, neo-paganism and theosophy. Whether they reflect a growing sense of national or ethnic identity, the influence of globalization or a combination of the two, such groups highlight the challenge of creating a free, open and tolerant society in both Russia and new or prospective EU member states. The book seeks to contribute to academic and policy debates in this area by increasing understanding of the groups in question. The studies in this collection present selected findings from the three-year EU-funded project ‘Society and Lifestyles: Towards Enhancing Social Harmonization through Knowledge of Subcultural Communities’ (2006-2008), which included partners from a wide range of post-communist countries in Eastern Europe and from the UK. Contents 6 Preface • Egidija Ramanauskaitė 10 Part 1: Subcultures 14 Introduction(Post-)subculture Theory, and Practice in East-Central Europe • George McKay and Michael Godd 16 1 From Local to Glocal: The Transformation of Delinquent and Radical Communities in the Tatarstan Republic of Russia • Alexander Salagaev, Alexander Shashkin, Alexander Makarov and Rustem Safin 28 2 Skinheads as Defenders of Russia? Power versus Friendship in Xenophobic Youth Subcultures • Elena Omel’chenko and Al’bina Garifzianova 46 3 Lithuanian Nationalist Skinhead Subculture: The Features of Identity • Tadas Kavolis 74 4 Hip-Hop in Rakvere: The Importance of the Local inGlobal Subculture • Maarja Kobin and Airi-Alina Allaste 100 5 Textually Constructing Identity and Otherness: Mediating the Romanian Hip-Hop Message • Isabela Merila and Michaela Praisler 124 6 On Linguistic Politics: The Stylistic Testimonies of Romanian Hip-Hop • Daniela Şorcaru and Floriana Popescu 138 7 Lessons from a Lithuanian Hippie Paradise Glimpsed through a Keyhole • Egidija Ramanauskaitė and Rimas Vaišnys 154 8 Euro-Indians in the Framework of Slovak Society • Radoslav Hlúšek 178 9 The Formation of the Záježovŵá Community: Ideals and Reality in a Slovak Eco-Village • Martin Priečko 200 Part 2: New Religious Movements 222 Introduction: New Religious Movements in Post-communist Russia and East-Central Europe – a Threat to Stability andNational Identity? • Neil Foxlee and Christopher Williams 224 10 The Fight for Religious Freedom and Pluralism in Post-communist Russia • Christopher Williams 240 11 Understanding Neo-paganism in Russia: Religion? Ideology?Philosophy? Fantasy? • Hilary Pilkington and Anton Popo 266 12 Spirituality in the Post-communist Religious Marketplace: Indian-inspired New Religious Movements in Slovakia and their Conceptual Framework • Dušan Deák 318 13 Spirituality and Religiosity in the Art of Living Foundation in Lithuania and Denmark: Meanings, Contexts and Relationships • Milda Ališauskienė 352 14 The Reconfiguration of Values and Beliefs: A Study of Contemporary Theosophy in Latvia • Anita Stašulāne and Janis Priede 378 15 A Content Analysis of the Representation of Islam and Islamic Culture in the Slovak Media • Silvia Letavajová 406 Notes on Contributors 434 Index 440