Irina Sandomirskaja's 'Kniga o rodine' Analyzes Russian Homeland Discourse Through Soviet and Post-Soviet Lenses
Irina Sandomirskaja's 2001 publication, 'Kniga o rodine. Opyt analiza diskursivnykh praktik,' critically examines the Russian notion of 'rodina' (homeland). Released in Vienna as part of the Wiener Slawistischer Almanach series (Sonderband 50), it delves into Soviet narratives surrounding rodina, particularly through the lens of Evgeniya Kiseleva's memoirs. The author highlights Admiral Aleksandr Semenovich Shishkov (1754–1841), who regarded rodina as represented by the revered Russian language. In a review on ARTMargins Online dated November 2, 2001, Stephan Küpper critiques the book's approach and calls for additional exploration of Pushkin and Russian identity. The review notes the use of St. Basil's Cathedral photographs to depict the evolution of rodina and references theorists such as Baudrillard and Lacan, ultimately deeming the book 'ochen’ svoevremennaya' (very timely).
Key facts
- Irina Sandomirskaja's book 'Kniga o rodine' was published in 2001 in Vienna as part of the Wiener Slawistischer Almanach series (Sonderband 50).
- The book analyzes the Russian concept of 'rodina' (homeland) as a symbolic space shaped by linguistic strategies rather than concrete reality.
- Sandomirskaja traces rodina's discourse from 19th-century Admiral Aleksandr Shishkov (1754–1841) to Soviet and post-Soviet eras.
- Shishkov promoted the divine origin of Slavonic languages and served as head censor from 1826 to 1828.
- The review uses two photographs of St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow: one from 1978 by Mark Martin and a Lego model by Tetsuhiko Yoshimura.
- Soviet-era master plots about rodina include narratives of return, duty, and greatness, influencing figures like pensioner Evgeniya Kiseleva.
- The review critiques the book's reliance on Sandomirskaja's personal experience and its limited archeological scope.
- Published on ARTMargins Online on November 2, 2001, by Stephan Küpper from Berlin, the review suggests the book is timely for redefining Russian identity.
Entities
Artists
- Irina Sandomirskaja
- Stephan Küpper
- Mark Martin
- Tetsuhiko Yoshimura
- Evgeniya Kiseleva
- Aleksandr Semenovich Shishkov
- Pushkin
- Jean Baudrillard
Institutions
- ARTMargins Online
- Wiener Slawistischer Almanach
Locations
- Vienna
- Berlin
- Germany
- Moscow
- Russia
- Britain
- Austria
Sources
- ARTMargins —
- ARTMargins —