About us

“Russian World Next Door” is a three year project on the discourses of the Russian political communication and cultural diplomacy in Finland financed by Kone Foundation (Finland)

The Russian World Next Door project examines the complex interrelationships between Russian cultural diplomacy and its perception in Finland amid geopolitical tensions and domestic political dynamics. As part of the research, we are extending our focus to the discourses and practices of non-profit organisations that respond to the socio-cultural needs of the Russian-speaking community in Finland. We are interested in how these colingual organisations navigate a landscape fraught with political labelling pressures while fulfilling their integral role in Finnish society.

The study adopts a multidimensional approach to analyse the social, visual and discursive aspects of cultural diplomacy. It first examines the dissemination of cultural and political narratives through digital media in order to understand the broader implications for international communication. The project then shifts its focus to the role of Russian language and culture in Finland. It analyses the perspectives and operational strategies of grassroots organisations involved in this area, focusing on their response to changing community dynamics and their approaches to cultural and linguistic practices.

Using a mixed-methods strategy that includes archival research, media analysis, and interviews with organisational leaders, the project aims to gather diverse insights into the discourse surrounding the Russian language and culture in Finland. This comprehensive methodology ensures an in-depth investigation while respecting the confidentiality of the participants. Finally, we plan to explore the visual narratives associated with Russian cultural diplomacy and political communication in order to understand how  their multimodal expressions are  projected globally.