{"id":1174,"date":"2022-04-11T10:21:24","date_gmt":"2022-04-11T10:21:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/russianextdoor.com\/?page_id=1174"},"modified":"2026-03-12T18:08:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T18:08:46","slug":"news","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/russianextdoor.com\/?page_id=1174","title":{"rendered":"Activities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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2026.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>02.16-17<\/strong> Vera Zvereva<\/em> participated in the roundtable and gave a presentation Language as a threat vs. resource: Conflict discourses around Russian after 2022<\/em> at the international conference Teaching Russian in Italy and Europe. Today. University of Verona, Verona, Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The roundtable invited to rethink the Russian L2 curriculum and the conflict discourses around Russian after 2022. The large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine and its global consequences on trade, tourism and, in general, on the perception and prestige of the Russian language, highlighted the need to reflect on the challenges and prospects of teaching Russian in school and university contexts. The conference Teaching Russian in Italy and Europe. Today<\/em> aimed to reflect on and critically analyse the current situation, identifying strategies and methodologies to address these challenges, also in light of the critical debate that has influenced Slavic Studies at the international level over the past three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The participants of the roundtable after the conference<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The full programme of the conference is availabl<\/a>e<\/a> here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>01.22-24<\/strong> Olga Zabalueva and Tatiana Romashko<\/em> gave a presentation on the “Patriotic” memory practices in Russia: Weaponisation of the Past<\/em> at the 3rd PoSoCoMeS \u2013 MSA Working Group conference Post-Socialist Memory in Times of Crises and Speculation, Yerevan, Armenia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olga’s and Tatiana’s presentation dealt with the Russian cultural policy\u2019s shifts following Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. To illustrate the effects and outcomes of these developments, they focused on two distinct cultural initiatives. The first, the Historical Parks Project, is a quasi-museal network of institutions created all over Russia in
mid-2010s which keeps growing. It originates from educational efforts of both the State and the Russian Orthodox Church, and since the beginning of the open invasion fully exercises top-down dynamics of mobilising patriotic popular memory. The second, the Cultural Front of Russia, is a recently emerged grassroots public movement. Olga and Tatiana argued that this project exemplifies the bottom-up dynamics of empowerment within the wartime patriotic framework. Despite differing leadership structures, both projects share significant similarities in their methods and ideological
alignment with Russia\u2019s authoritarian regime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The full programme of the conference is available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2025.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>11.20<\/strong> Rasa \u017dakevi\u010di\u016bt\u0117<\/em> gave a presentation on Russian-language media in Finland<\/em> at the Cultura Foundation’s conference in Helsinki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rasa presented the results of the research conducted in collaboration with the Cultura Foundation. Rasa presented the results of the research conducted in collaboration with the Cultura Foundation. The study adopted a mixed methods approach, combining quantitative network analysis and qualitative interviews. This approach enabled insights and findings to be triangulated across diverse datasets. The analysis covered the following three areas: a) characteristics of Russian-language media, b) activity of Russian-language media, c) Russian-language media networks on social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This exploratory study was the first attempt to research the Russian-language media landscape, and may lead to further cooperation in this area.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2025.0<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>8.28<\/strong> A lecture on visual discourses of the Russian World<\/em> by Rasa \u017dakevi\u010di\u016bt\u0117<\/em> as part of the ExpREES Summer School 2025 in Lammi, Finland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a lecture at the ExpREES summer school, Master\u2019s students explored the visual narratives associated with Russian cultural diplomacy and political communication, in order to understand how these narratives are projected globally through multimodal expression. The lecture served two purposes. Firstly, it introduced the concept of the Russian World imaginary, briefly exploring its historical development and its role in shaping Russia’s international image. Secondly, it aimed to familiarise students with visual research methodology and its potential applications in analysing visual representations. Thus, the lecture deepened theoretical knowledge and tested new research methods and perspectives in practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the end of the lecture, students were familiar with the fundamentals of the Russian World imaginary and the basics of visual research involving found images. They also learned about visual semiotics and compositional analysis. The lecture stimulated critical thinking and encouraged a deeper understanding of the visual representation of Russian communication.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2025.0<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>7.22<\/strong> A roundtable and presentation by Vera Zvereva<\/em> on the \u2019Traditional Values\u2019 and Feminist Rhetoric: Discourses of Femininity in Russia\u2019s Pro-War Media and Culture <\/em>at the ICCEES (International Council for Central and East European Studies) XI World Congress<\/a>, University College London, London, UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The roundtable explored themes of femininity and feminism in pro-war culture in Russia in the context of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. It examined issues such as the discourses and representations of femininity in media supporting the Russian authorities; \u2018z-feminism,\u2019 which promotes the necessity of war; the appropriation of the \u2018women’s topics\u2019 by pro-war propagandists; and the connections between pro-war discourses in popular and intellectual culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gender issues play a significant role in contemporary Russian media propaganda. The discursive support for the war often involves distinguishing \u2018women\u2019 and \u2018men\u2019 from \u2018all Russians.\u2019 Propagandists emphasize the socio-cultural and biological roles of women, expecting them to sustain daily routines, normalize the war within society, and assist in recruiting manpower for the front. The promotion of ultra-conservative views and behaviors among women aligns with the Russian state\u2019s active biopolitics, which seeks to control bodies, families, and reproduction within society. At the same time, propagandists often voice ideas that, at first glance, may seem feminist and contradict the “traditional values” promoted by the Russian authorities. This work is often carried out by women\u2014z-bloggers, war correspondents, representatives of creative industries, etc. These topics were discussed during the roundtable with Vera Zvereva, Alina Parker (University of Massachusetts Amherst, United States), Saara Ratilainen (Tampere University, Finland), and Daniil Zhaivoronok (Tampere University, Finland).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2025.06<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>.11-13<\/strong> Two peresentations<\/em> at the 14th conference of the Nordic Association for Semiotic Studies along with the 15th Annual Lotman Days \u201cCreativity \u2013 Complexity \u2013 Intelligence\u201c Tallinn, Estonia<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vera Zvereva<\/em> presented on the NGOs in Finland: the Changing Socio-Cultural and Political Meanings of the Russian Language<\/em>. In her presentation, Vera explored the socio-cultural and political meanings attributed to the Russian language by NGOs in Finland engaged in social and cultural projects. Drawing on interviews from the \u2018Russian World Next Door\u2019 project at the University of Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4 (2022-2025), critical discourse analysis (van Dijk, 1993; Wodak & Meyer, 2001) was used to examine how Russian is seen as a language of identity, memory, community building, mutual support, and integration in Finnish society. Additionally, Vera will discussed how different generations of Russian speakers in Finland invest their own meanings in the language (Blommaert, 2013), whether through nostalgia, intergenerational communication, Russian as a lingua franca, or as a tool for successful socialization in Finland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rasa \u017dakevi\u010di\u016bt\u0117<\/em> gave a presentation co-authored with Tatiana Romashko<\/em>, titled Meaning-making through bilingual Russian-speaking organisations in Finland<\/em>. The presentation emphasised the significance of Russian-speaking organisations within the integration landscape and pointed to practical implications. Our research suggests that policy approaches to integration and inclusive societies should focus on initiatives that build trust between organisations and create opportunities for open networking and identity negotiation. Empowering the Russian-speaking community through public organisations strengthens not only individual identities, but also weaves a more cohesive social fabric that reflects the broader dynamics of meaning-making in an increasingly diverse world.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2025.06.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> The article by Tatiana Romashko<\/em> and Olga Zabalueva, Russian Cultural Policy in the Midst of War: Strategies and Actors<\/em>, is now available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This paper examines the evolution of Russian cultural policy in the aftermath of the country’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It analyses shifts in cultural legislation and official discourse on culture in the context of war. The authors argue that these projects exemplify the interplay of top-down and bottom-up empowerment dynamics within the wartime patriotic framework. Despite their differing leadership structures, the projects share significant similarities in their methods and ideological alignment with Russia\u2019s authoritarian regime. The research draws on an analysis of official discourses in the Russian parliament and presidential administration, as well as recent amendments to cultural legislation. In order to study the practical implementation of cultural policy, i.e. the operations of the selected projects, the authors analyse the official Telegram channels of the Parliament and the Presidential Administration, as well as media coverage of their activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The full paper is available in the ‘Studies in European Affairs<\/a>‘ journal.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2025.02.05.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> Cooperation workshop with Cultura s\u00e4\u00e4ti\u00f6<\/em>. Our project team and Cultura Foundation had a creative brainstorming session to discuss possible future collaborations. During the workshop, we shared our expertise and findings in researching the Russian-speaking community, while Cultura Foundation presented ideas for possible future projects. It was agreed to further develop the ideas generated during the meeting and to look for opportunities for cooperation in the near future.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2024.09.11.-12.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> Vera Zvereva<\/em> was invited to give a talk at the Roundtable on Digital memory at the conference “Memory Rights and Memory Wrongs” in Munich, Germany. This conference was organised by the research project “Memocracy” https:\/\/memocracy.eu\/project-workshops\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vera’s talk was entitled “Disjunctive Memory and Russian Digital Media in the 2020s”. The full programme of the conference is available here: https:\/\/memocracy.eu\/static\/16a0116722bf5c4b5ac6dbf2f9780f82\/Memory-Rights-Memory-Wrongs_Full-Program.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vera’s presentation at the conference<\/sup><\/sub><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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2024.08.22.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> A roundtable (Inter)national Cultural Policy and Warfare: Cultural heritage destruction and cultural mobilisation<\/em> at the 13th ICCPR (International Conference on Cultural Policy Research) in Warsaw, Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, University of Warsaw, Poland<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The roundtable aimed to explore the complex dynamics between cultural policies and wartime contexts, focusing on their perception\/articulation at national and international levels e.g., through multilateral cultural heritage treaties and international cultural organisations. It also sought to explore the multifaceted role of cultural policies in shaping narratives, identities and public consciousness in times of conflict. At the same time, it paid particular attention to the issue of the destruction of cultural heritage during war. By examining both sides of this problem from different geopolitical contexts, it provided a comprehensive understanding of how cultural policies in democratic and non-democratic regimes contribute to, reflect or respond to the exigencies of war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Panellists Dr. Tatiana Romashko (University of Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4), Dr. Miia Huttunen (University of Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4), Dr. Oleksandra Gaidai (National University \u201cKyiv-Mohyla Academy\u201d), Dr. Elzbieta Olzacka (Jagiellonian University in Krakow) and Dr. Melissa Nisbett (King\u2019s College London) considered cases of deliberate destruction of cultural heritage during wartime conflicts, both present and past. This was complemented by a discussion of the cases of cultural mobilisation in both democratic and non-democratic regimes. Specific attention was paid to delineating trends in terms of the policies pursued by state institutions, as well as the dimensions of grassroots, civic and dispersed activities. The panel contrasted cases of colonialist policies in occupied territories with cases of domestic patriotic mobilisation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2024.06.06-07.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> A presentation on Russia\u2019s Cultural Diplomacy in Finland after February 2022<\/em> by Tatiana Romashko<\/em> at the “Past the Divide and Beyond: New Perspectives to Cultural Diplomacy in Cold War Europe” workshop organized by The Mission Finland \u2013 Cold War Cultural Diplomacy at the Crossroads of East and West project sponsored by the Research Council of Finland and the University of Turku, 6-7th June, Arcanum building, University of Turku, Finland<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In her presentation Tatiana described Russia\u2019s typical approaches to cultural diplomacy, highlighting the dynamics of its key strategies and target audiences employed after February 2022. She also discussed the mechanisms through which Russia strives to project its \u2018positive\u2019 Russian World imaginary to specific audiences in Finland in the absence of its official diplomatic mission. Finally, Tatiana discussed the contrast between the Kremlin\u2019s soft power activities and the cultural activities offered by Finnish non-profit organisations in the Russian language. In doing so, she drew attention to the \u2018agency\u2019 of Finnish cultural organisations working with Russian-speaking populations, which is accelerated by the double pressure of being labelled as \u2018Russian compatriots\u2019 by the Kremlin and as \u2018subjects of the Russian world\u2019 by Russian speakers themselves.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2024.06.05.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> Tatiana Romashko (MA) defended her doctoral thesis in Cultural Policy \u201cDevelopment of Contemporary Russian Cultural Policy: From Liberal Decentralisation towards Conservative Hegemony\u201d on Wednesday, 5 June 2024, at 12:00 in the hall S212 at the Seminarium Building, University of Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4. Senior Lecturer Dr Aliaksei Kazharski<\/strong> (Charles University) served as the opponent and Professor Mikko Jakonen<\/strong> (University of Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4) as the custos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MA Tatiana Romashko\u2019s dissertation examines the transformation of Russian cultural policy from democratic orientations to a distinctly authoritarian approach after 2012. The study explains how a shift towards traditionalism, essentialism and conservatism in cultural policy has been instrumental in consolidating Vladimir Putin\u2019s grip on power.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2024.04.06.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> A presentation “Putin\u2019s \u2018Cultural Front\u2019: Russian Art in the Service of War<\/em>” by Tatiana Romashko<\/em>, at at the Annual conference of the British Association for Slavonic and East European Studies<\/a>, 5-7th April, Robinson College, Cambridge, United Kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tatiana presented a paper that explores the emergence of the \u2018cultural front of Russia\u2019 and its impact on Russian and Ukrainian societies. This public movement was established in November 2022 as an urgent response to the needs of the Russian state in pursuing the goals of the so-called \u2018special military operation\u2019 in Ukraine. This initiative is interesting for two reasons. First, it aims to promote the mass mobilisation of Russians in support of the war by multiplying the Kremlin\u2019s narratives through people\u2019s everyday discursive practices. Second, it serves as an expert platform responsible for implementing presidential decrees on state cultural policy. This includes monitoring budget allocations and promoting cooperation between workers in various socio-cultural, educational and religious fields and the military. The context of Russia\u2019s invasion and deliberate destruction of tangible and intangible cultural heritage in Ukraine lends urgency to the study of the Kremlin\u2019s strategies of cultural colonialism within Russia and in the annexed regions of Ukraine. Tatiana’s paper addresses this complex issue at the intersection of cultural politics, patriotic consumption and everyday nationalism and seeks to answer the following research questions. What are the practical, legislative and civic characteristics of the \u2018cultural front of Russia\u2019? And how does it attempt to influence the cultural milieu in Russia and the annexed territories of Ukraine? She approaches the dynamics surrounding the construction of the \u2018cultural front\u2019 through an analysis of the recent cultural policy debates in the Russian State Duma and the rapid measures of policy enforcement after February 2022, including the promotion of the war campaign through art events and cultural production.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2024.04.05.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> A round table “Remnants of the ‘Russian World’ in Europe’s Online and Offline Spaces”<\/em>, at at the Annual conference of the British Association for Slavonic and East European Studies<\/a>, 5-7th April, Robinson College, Cambridge, United Kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The round table, chaired by Tatiana Romashko, had Vera Zvereva, Kapitolina Fedorova, Jade McGlynn, and Tatiana Golova as panelists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vera Zvereva discussed Russia’s efforts to expand its influence in European countries, not only through methods previously identified as cultural diplomacy or open media propaganda but also through the tools of information warfare. These methods involve implicit and covert influence, where the Russian side does not openly declare and even conceals its agency. Various proxies are employed, with a primary focus on frequent and discreet information campaigns at a level below that of formal institutions. The primary targets of such campaigns are often the “compatriots” or Russophones residing outside of Russia. Vera delved into how pro-Russian trolls seek to solidify their influence in online groups of Russophones in Finland by exploiting imperial sentiments among post-Soviet immigrants. Additionally, they aim to foster distrust towards Finnish authorities and sow discord within the Russophone community in Finland.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2024.03.21.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> A presentation by Rasa \u017dakevi\u010di\u016bt\u0117 <\/em>and Tatiana Romashko<\/em> “Bridging Cultures: The role of Russian-speaking organisations in promoting belonging in Finland”<\/em>, at The <\/strong>Annual Sociological Conference 2024<\/a>, 21-22 March, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In their presentation, Rasa and Tatiana discuss the key role of Russian-speaking socio-cultural organisations in Finland in mitigating psychological and social fragmentation. These organisations act as critical mediators, facilitating inter-community ties among Russian speakers and serving as a bridge to the wider Finnish society. We tentatively identify three primary mechanisms through which these organisations strengthen a sense of belonging: 1) guiding official integration processes, 2) facilitating psychological and social adaptation, and 3) cultivating a sense of purpose and connectedness. Together, these mechanisms aim to integrate Russian speakers into Finnish society, unlocking their potential and empowering them with local insights. The findings highlight the importance of collingual organisations in the integration landscape and point to practical implications. It suggests that policy approaches to integration and inclusive societies should focus on initiatives aimed at building trust between organisations, open networking and creating opportunities for belonging. Empowering immigrant communities through collingual public organisations not only strengthens individual identities but also weaves a more cohesive social fabric that resonates with the broader dynamics of belonging in an increasingly diverse world.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2024.02.23.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> A Workshop on on inter-project collaboration and ethical considerations<\/em>, University of Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4. Finland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A workshop was organized in collaboration with scholars from the recently launched project “Everyday Affective Practices Online: Producing, Experiencing, and Managing Hate Speech in the Digital Era”. It consisted of our team, Dr Evgenia Amey from the new Kone funded project as well as researchers focusing on Russian-speaking communities \u2013 Dr Ilkhom Khalimzoda, Dr Francesca Chiarvesio and Doctoral researcher Han Yue. A more detailed report of the meeting is available on our blog: Workshop on inter-project collaboration and ethical considerations<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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202<\/strong>3.12.<\/strong>22<\/b>.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> An edited book by Olga Solovova and Sabina Vakser “Russian as a Transnational Language: Resonance, Remembrance, Renewal”<\/a><\/em> is out now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It includes the chapter by Vera Zvereva on Russian Speakers in Finland. <\/em>The chapter provides a qualitative analysis of user communication in posts and comments in two Facebook communities of Russian speakers in Finland and explores users\u2019 attitudes to \u2018accuracy\u2019 in using the Russian language. It examines what meanings the group members assign to the grammatical and orthographic \u2018correctness\u2019 of the language in which they communicate; the situations in which \u2018accuracy\u2019 becomes significant; and how these issues relate to discursive performance of the cultural identity by these Russian speakers in Finland. \u2018Correct\u2019 use of Russian has different symbolic values in each overlapping context in which members of these groups are communicating, i.e., Finland, the country in which they have now settled; the Russian digital diaspora; and their specific online group. The intersection of these contexts creates tensions for members of these online groups. Different understandings of the value of \u2018correct\u2019 use of the Russian language coexist and sometimes collide. In some situations, the participants interpret Russian as a language of intercultural communication, where \u2018accuracy\u2019 is subordinate to its utility for solving practical problems. However, \u2018accuracy\u2019 in using the language is often endowed with various symbolic meanings associated with Russian-speaking migrants\u2019 cultural identity and is instrumental in constructing power relations in the community.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2023.12.01.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> A paper presented by Vera Zvereva<\/em> on How Russian \u2018patriotic\u2019 social media foster emotional investment in the war in Ukraine<\/em> at the Annual convention of Association for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies (Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, USA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vera presented how among Russian \u2018patriotic\u2019 media, Telegram and YouTube have been increasingly influential in covering the war in Ukraine and promoting key messages in support of the Russian authorities. Besides the already-existing propagandists and pro-Kremlin bloggers, trolls and bots, among the most important new actors are the \u2018voenkory\u2019 or war correspondents. This paper uses critical discourse analysis and theoretical studies of \u2018emotional\u2019 social media used in right-wing populist politics (Jasper, J. M. 2011; Papacharissi, Z., 2015; Wahl-Jorgensen K., 2016, 2019; Wodak R. 2014, 2021; et al.) to examine how the \u2018voenkory\u2019 channels on YouTube and Telegram promote the war as necessary, foster emotional engagement in it, and employ emotion and affect in discussing it. Their three main propaganda themes \u2013 the role of NATO and the West as instigators in a proxy war against Russia, the need for Russians to rally around the Russian president, and the dehumanization of Ukrainians – are shown to be embedded in the correspondents\u2019 immersive narrative of military events.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2023.10.05.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> A Presentation by Tatiana Romashko<\/em> on “Consolidating the Nation in Putin’s Cultural Front<\/em>” at the International Cultural Policy Conference and the 6th General Assembly of the Compendium Association in Valletta, Malta Hosted by the Arts Council Malta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Combining insights from cultural policy and Russian politics, Tatiana’s talk explored the emergence and impact of the ‘cultural front’ in Putin’s Russia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded in November 2022, the ‘cultural front’ in Putin’s Russia was a response to the urgent needs of the state in the midst of the ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine. Tatiana argued that this public movement serves a dual purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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First, it seeks to mobilize Russians in support of the war by disseminating Kremlin narratives through everyday discursive practices. Second, as an expert platform, it implements presidential decrees on state cultural policy, monitors budgets, and promotes cooperation across socio-cultural, educational, religious, and military spheres. In my current research, Tatiana points out that the ‘cultural front’ movement is poised to function as an additional political mechanism, mobilising grassroots efforts to align cultural production with Kremlin priorities, while reporting on dissenting voices.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Tatiana Romashko presenting in Valletta, Malta <\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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2023.09.28.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> A Panel discussion by Tatiana Romashko <\/em>on how to Understand Russian society amid the war of aggression in Ukraine<\/em> at the Annual CSSR (Center for Security and Strategic Research Latvian National Defence Academy) conference (Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & Spa Hotel, Elizabetes iela 55, Conference Hall Beta 2).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The discussion primarily dealt with the ongoing war in Ukraine and its implications for Russia – its military and society. Tatiana wrote a blog post about the conference, which is available here: Why study Russian society? And why now?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2023.08.22-23.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> A Lecture “Visual Biopolitics: How to Read Pro- and Anti-War Sentiments in Russia<\/em>” by Tatiana Romashko <\/em>at VIExpert Summer School at Lammi Biological Station (P\u00e4\u00e4j\u00e4rventie 320, 16900 Lammi).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Summer School lecture explored the fascinating intersection of visual biopolitics and post-structuralist discourse theory in the context of Russia’s ‘special operation’ in Ukraine. The aim of the talk was to introduce a new way of understanding the complexity of social sentiments in Russia in relation to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. We explored the concept of ‘Z-tification’, which refers to the mass displays of support for the actions of the Russian government, often seen in activities such as Z-flashmobs. It also analyzed the political impact of street art and symbolic creativity in challenging official hegemony and expressing dissent. The lecture provided participants with valuable analytical tools for studying both pro- and anti-war sentiments in Russia. We examined visual examples of these sentiments and discussed methods of interpreting the material, taking into account its social and political characteristics. The session was characterised by lively discussion and the exchange of innovative ideas. This lecture at the ExpREES Summer School 2023 was an opportunity to shed light on the role of visual culture in shaping public opinion and resistance in Russia, a topic that remains highly relevant in the current global landscape.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2023.05.11.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> Presentation by Tatiana Romashko <\/em>on the “Construction of the Cultural Front in Putin’s Russia: a case study from cultural legislation amendments”<\/em> at The Annual Conference of the Finnish Political Science Association, 10-12 May, University of Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4 (Seminaarinkatu 15)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tatiana’s presentation examined changes in Russian cultural policy against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine. She argued that recent amendments to the Foundations of Russian State Cultural Policy, signed by Putin in January 2023, reflect an acceleration of the Russian government’s attempts to use the cultural sphere to unite the population and gain support for the war effort. Through an analysis of the legal changes and their implications for the cultural sector in Russia, Tatiana explored the political problem of cultural policy as formulated by Russia’s political leadership and examined the representation of the two protagonists of the cultural struggle. The research presented during the conference revealed the characteristics of the ‘cultural front’, namely the depoliticisation of those in power and the dehumanisation of those perceived as traitors, opposition and dissenters. It also shed light on the nature of the ‘cultural front’ that Putin is attempting to create and maintain, including its characteristics of weaponising national memory and history to gain support for the war effort.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2023.04.02.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> Presentation by Vera Zvereva <\/em>on the Discussions about Russian language and culture in Finland\u2019 <\/em>at the Annual conference of the British Association for Slavonic and East European Studies (University of Glasgow, United Kingdom) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, many questions have arisen in European countries regarding the “Russian” language and culture. On one hand, the significance of how to address the Russian language and culture diminishes amidst ongoing conflict, where lives are lost daily, and Ukrainian cities and cultural heritage face destruction. While important, this issue remains secondary compared to efforts to support and aid the Ukrainian side. Moreover, as long as the war persists, resolutions regarding the Russian language and culture remain elusive. On the other hand, this matter holds importance for European countries and cannot be deferred until the cessation of hostilities. When discussing attitudes toward the “Russian language and Russian culture,” it is essential to recognize that this extends beyond attitudes toward the Russian authorities or Russia as an aggressor, or toward Russian emigration. It encompasses questions concerning language and identity for a segment of the population, many of whom are citizens of European countries. In her talk, Vera raises a question – what does this issue entail from Finland’s perspective?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2023.03.23.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> Presentation by Rasa \u017dakevi\u010di\u016bt\u0117 on “Cultural agency as a means of resisting political labelling. A case of Russians in Finland”<\/em> at The <\/strong>Annual Sociological Conference 2023<\/a>, 23-24 March, University of Tampere (Kanslerinrinne 1)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In her presentation, Rasa was discussing how the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has created new conditions in which Russian communities started experiencing political labelling. It led to restrictions (e.g. the travel ban on Russian passport holders to the Schengen area), boycotts (e.g. of Russian products, Russian consumers, Russian athletes) and calls for the cancellation of Russian culture (e.g. the ban on Russian artists and the \u201cCancel Russia\u201d movement). Political labelling is also felt from Russia that tries to diasporize Russian speaking communities by stressing boundlessness of the Russian World and treating all the people who speak and think in Russian as the subjects of the Russian civilization and therefore as compatriots of the Russian Federation. These trends have forced many Russian speakers abroad to (re)consider their own identities, political positions and alliances. and the attempts of Russians in Finland to resist increasingly negative political labelling by reinventing their cultural agency, which is autonomous from the Kremlin\u2019s narrative of the Russian World. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2023.03.09.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> Participation in the “Yle \u2013 Public Service 100 Years: Mediating Culture and Imagining Finland<\/a>” Seminar,<\/em> (Porthania 3, University of Helsinki)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tatiana Romashko participated in Yle’s open seminar “Mediating Culture and Imagining Finland” in Helsinki. At the seminar, researchers from various Finnish universities presented their perspectives on the 100-year history of the Finnish Broadcasting Corporation. One of the presentations described the research project “Mission Finland: Cold War Cultural Diplomacy at the Crossroads of East and West”, under the leadership of Dr. Pia Koivunen (https:\/\/missionfinland.utu.fi\/en\/<\/a>). This Tampere-based research team aims to examine a range of cultural and information activities of various countries, including the Soviet Union, in Finland. It is very relevant to our research, as the described study is looking at the same issues of Russian cultural diplomacy in Finland, but in the past. It was also useful to hear about the contingency plan they have when there is not much information available from Russia, and about Russian cultural projects in Finland. The received knowledge was very important for our ongoing research, while the newly acquired contacts might lead to the future cooperation with Tampere University research team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Discussion and debates \u2013 Public Service 100 Years: Mediating Culture and Imagining Finland. Photo by Seppo Sarkkinen\/Yle.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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2023.02.08.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> Out now: Tatiana Romashko (2023) Russia\u2019s cultural policy abroad as a projection of the \u201cRussian World\u201d<\/em>, Cultural Trends<\/em>, DOI: 10.1080\/09548963.2023.2171771<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tatiana’s policy review provides a brief discussion of the ‘Russian World’ concept and its path to the Russian humanitarian policy abroad, focusing on its political implications and the role it plays in Russia\u2019s international relations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Link to an article https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/eprint\/YQKQ2R9BNYDVUF52NAC4\/full?target=10.1080\/09548963.2023.2171771<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more on the topic, read Tatiana’s blog entry on ‘Russian World’<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2023.01.31.<\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>Presentation by Vera Zvereva on Russian ‘patriotic’ social media<\/em> in the Russia’s information operations and disinformation seminar. University of Tampere, Paidia, Nokia Areena (Kansikatu 3)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vera Zvereva presenting in the Russia’s Information Operations and Disinformation seminar in Tampere, Paidia<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

In her presentation, Vera talked about Russian propaganda on the ‘patriotic’ social media channels (Telegram) and their deliberate affect on the emotions of the readers. The immersive narrative that is created in Kremlin sponsored posts dehumanises the Ukrainian fighters and emotionally stirs the readers to support the Russian ‘defenders’.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2022.10.07.<\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>CEURUS podcast on Russian cultural policy. Fidan Valin’s interview with Tatiana Romaskho<\/a> (in Russian)<\/em>, Centre for Eurasian and Russian Studies – CEURUS, University of Tartu<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this interview, Fidan and Tatiana talked about the importance of culture and cultural policy in the Russian legislation. The discussion touched upon the topics of cultural policy as extension of geopolitics; the principles of Russian cultural policy; ideology of the “Russian world”; the attitudes towards Russian soft power; cancellation of Russian culture; and other related topics. The interview (#33) was conducted in Russian and can be accessed through the CEURUS podcast page<\/a>, Spotify<\/a>, or Google Podcasts<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2022.09.22.<\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>Presentation by Tatiana Romashko on ‘\u2018Experts\u2019 and \u2018marginals\u2019 of cultural policymaking in Putin\u2019s Russia’<\/em> at the 12th International Conference on Cultural Policy Research. 19 – 23 September 2022, University of Antwerp (M- building, Sint Jacobsstraat 2), The Netherlands<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Presentation by Tatiana Romashko. Photo: Tobias Harding<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In her paper, Tatiana addresses a conservative turn in the recent evolution of state cultural policy in Putin’s Russia. In particular, she examines the Kremlin\u2019s meaningful system of the \u2018Russian World\u2019 as a prevailing discourse of cultural securitisation against the Western Other. In cultural policy, she argues, the \u2018Russian World\u2019 imaginary operates as \u2018authoritative discourse\u2019 (Bakhtin 1975) that steers the policy development and conditions its politically constructed problems as true and necessary. Expert opinions become marginalized when they attempt to challenge the dogma behind authoritative discourse. To show this, she examines the scope of the political debate over the new legislative initiative of the Presidential Administration – the Federal Law on Culture in the Russian Federation, focusing on the actors of policymaking, their characteristics and forms of participation. The study is based on an analysis of the transcripts of meetings of the Presidential Council for Culture and Art and the National Security Council, the State Duma, the Public Chamber, as well as expert meetings and public forums. Data obtained from open sources of information for the period from 2019 to 2022 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2022.09.13.<\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>Project kick-off workshop<\/em>. Online talk was organised by the collaborative initiative between Russian Media Lab Network, University of Helsinki, and Tampere Research Center for Russian and Chinese Media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project was presented by Vera Zvereva, Tatiana Romashko and Rasa \u017dakevi\u010di\u016bt\u0117 where we talked about the objectives of the study and the original goals of the project, and how we were affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, political situation has been changing rapidly. There is a significant reduction in the space of \u201cRussian cultural diplomacy\u201d in Finland. Internet sources that supported the activity of Russian pro-state organizations in Finland are disappearing, and the reluctance of our potential respondents to talk about topics related to Russia, Russian culture or Russian-Finnish cooperation is growing. During the Online talk, we discussed new ways of collecting data and possible research methods, received critical comments and suggestions from the audience on our plan, and thought together about possible ways of collaborating with interested researchers. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2022.07.01.<\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>Presentation by Vera Zvereva on ‘Communication Strategies of Russian Diplomacy on Social Media: the Use of Impoliteness’ <\/em>at the 2nd International Conference on Language in the Human-Machine Era<\/a>. University of Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4, University Library L\u00e4hde (Seminaarinkatu 15).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In her presentation, Vera focused on the use of digital technologies by top Russian diplomats communicating with both international and domestic audiences on social media. She examined the communicative strategies of Russian diplomats that impart meaning to political events, construct power relations and build ingroups and outgroups. In particular, she explored the instrumentalization of impoliteness in addressing the Internet audience as well as the emergence of the figure of the diplomat as a digital media influencer and celebrity. How is impoliteness used in diplomatic discourse in social media? And how does impoliteness in diplomatic discourse help shape an aggressive and confrontational emotional regime for the social media audience? To answer these research questions, she used the theoretical framework of critical discourse analysis and conceptual tools of impoliteness theory. She interpreted impoliteness in Russian diplomats\u2019 social media discourse by reference to two contexts. These are, firstly, the transformation of political language as part of the global rise of digitally mediated political populism; and secondly, the Russian political situation in the 2010-20s. For this study, Vera chose two channels of diplomatic communication in social networks: the official Twitter of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the personal Facebook account of its official representative, the Director of the Ministry\u2019s Information and Press Department, Mariia Zakharova. This study was carried out before the start of the war in Ukraine. We believe that the phenomenon described in the presentation – the shift towards impolite and aggressive communication of diplomats in social networks – communication using populist techniques and designed for a home audience – was one of the means that paved the way for war and served to legitimize it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2022.06.23.<\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong>Presentation by Tatiana Romashko at the CEEISA 2022 Convention <\/a>on Self-marginalisation and Politics in today\u2019s Russian Cultural Policy<\/em>. University of Economics, Bratislava, Slovakia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tatiana addressed the Kremlin\u2019s meaningful system of the \u2018Russian World\u2019 as a particular niche of Russia\u2019s soft power abroad and a prevailing discourse of self-representation – cultural securitisation against the Western Other. Within this discourse formation, Russia\u2019s \u2018sovereign democracy\u2019 (Surkov 2006) is politically linked to national culture, welfare policies, and state intervention in the life of the Russian population and foreign countries. Tatiana showed how these conservative ideas are normalized through the moral and intellectual leadership of the Presidential Apparatuses that concentrates sovereignty over the decision-making process. Nevertheless, she argued that the policymaking process unfolds through power techniques associated with the Foucauldian (2008) notion of governmentality. To show that, she explored the processes of \u2018knowledge production\u2019 (Foucault 1982) within Russia\u2019s take on cultural, national, and security policies, which, to a certain extent, might be characterised as the \u2018politics of the theoretical statement\u2019 (Bhabha 2007). To support her argument, she examined various logics (i.e., problematisation, subject positions, and objects) of the policy debates and the hegemonic forms of \u2018subordination, domination, and oppression\u2019 (Laclau, Mouffe 2001: 154) of \u2018expert\u2019 community of state governance. Research is based on analysis of transcripts of Presidential Councils and the Russian Parliament.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2022.05.20. <\/strong><\/strong>Seminar at the department of History and Ethnology\u2019s research cluster \u201cCrisis and Societal Change\u201d.<\/em> Discussion on Putin\u2019s media, Russian propaganda and the Ukrainian War from a Russian perspective. University of Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4,  room H320 (Seminaarinkatu 15)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2022.04.14.<\/strong> <\/strong>Participation in the virtual DiscourseNet ad-hoc workshop<\/a> ‘Discourses of War and Peace: Reflections on and around the Aggression against Ukraine’. Presentation by Tatiana Romahko on The Russian World imaginary: transmitting supremacy through language and culture<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tatiana was addressing the \u201cRussian world\u201d imaginary and its role in the justification of the war in Ukraine. In her talk, she was answering such questions like: How does Russian state cultural policy contribute to the “Russian world” imaginary? What is the \u2018mission of culture\u2019 in constructing and maintaining the Russian world and its subjects? Tatiana\u2019s presentation slides can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2022.03.17.<\/strong> Open public lecture by Vera Zvereva about the war in Ukraine, Russian propaganda and discourses of war in Russian media<\/em>. University of Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4 in A-building, room A012 (Seminaarinkatu 15)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lecture by Vera Zvereva. Photo: Rasa \u017dakevi\u010di\u016bt\u0117<\/sup><\/sub><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Vera introduced how the media propaganda system works in Russia and discussed most relevant questions that are arising in the light of the current conflict. What do ordinary Russians know about the war in Ukraine? What picture of reality does the Russian media offer them? Why in the 21st century has a situation become possible in which people believe in state propaganda; how does the information blockade work in Russia, and how does it affect public opinion? <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2022.03.01.<\/strong> Initiation of the project with the first meeting of the three participating researchers.<\/em> Discussion on the methodology, initial project plan and the impact of the Russian attack on Ukraine on the progress of the project.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

2026.02.16-17 Vera Zvereva participated in the roundtable and gave a presentation Language as a threat vs. resource: Conflict discourses around Russian after 2022 at the international conference Teaching Russian in Italy and Europe. Today. University of Verona, Verona, Italy. 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