The Cambridge Companion to Modern Russian Culture (Cambridge Companions to Culture)

This volume offers an introduction to Russian culture in all its rich diversity, including the historical conditions that helped shape it and the arts that express its highest achievements. Newly commissioned essays by leading scholars explore language, religion, geography, ideological structures, folk ethos and popular culture, literature, music, theater, art, and film. A chronology and guides to further reading are also provided. Overall, the volume reveals, for students, scholars and all those interested in Russia, the dilemmas, strengths, and complexities of the Russian cultural experience. Russia Is A Dominant Force In The World, Yet Its Culture Has Been Shaped By Tensions Involved In Its Unique Position On The Margins Of Both East And West. As Russia Faces The Latest Cultural Challenge From Outside Its National Boundaries, This Volume Introduces Russian Culture In All Its Rich Diversity, Including The Historical Conditions That Helped Shape It And The Arts That Express Its Highest Achievements. Newly Commissioned Essays By Leading Scholars Explore Language, Religion, Geography, Ideological Structures, Folk Ethos And Popular Culture, Literature, Music, Theatre, Art, And Film. Overall, The Volume Reveals, For Students, Scholars, And All Those Interested In Russia, The Dilemmas, Strengths, And Complexities Of The Russian Cultural Experience.--jacket. Russian Cultural History : Introduction / Nicholas Rzhevsky -- Language / Dean S. Worth -- Religion : Russian Orthodoxy / Dmitry S. Likhachev -- Asia / Mark Bassin -- The West / Pierre R. Hart -- Ideological Structures / Abbott Gleason -- Popular Culture / Catriona Kelly -- Literature / David M. Bethea -- Art / John E. Bowlt -- Music / Harlow Robinson -- Theatre / Laurence Senelick -- Film / Nikita Lary. Edited By Nicholas Rzhevsky. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 330-346) And Index. Includes Filmography: P. 347-354. The Cambridge Companion to Modern Russian Culture 2 Contents 8 Illustrations 10 Contributors 12 1 Russian cultural history: introduction 30 2 Language 46 3 Religion: Russian Orthodoxy 65 4 Asia 84 5 The West 112 6 Ideological structures 130 7 Popular culture 152 8 Literature 186 9 Art 230 10 Music 261 11 Theatre 289 12 Film 324 Suggested reading 355 A select filmography 372 Index 380 Russia's culture has been shaped by its unique position on the margins of both East and West. This Cambridge Companion offers an introduction to modern Russian culture, from language and religion to literature and the arts