Discovering “site of memory”: publication of sources as a means of preserving historical and cultural heritage

Resumo

Introduction. The article presents the possibilities of implementing one of the promising concepts used recently in scientific and practical activities aimed at preserving “site of memory”. The authors focus on the prospects of using collections of documents and materials in the practice of memorialization of historical and cultural heritage. Materials and methods. The research is based on the concept of historical memory, the intellectual tradition of comprehending and describing which became a reflection of the development of scientific discourse throughout the 20th century. The material of the study was the unique evidence included in the “Code of documents on the history and culture of Mordovia”. Results. Setting the formation of a certain cultural and historical code as the main task of this concept, the authors suggested that collections of documents and materials can be identified in the modern humanitarian space as significant “site of memory” much more than many other phenomena of material and spiritual culture. Such symbolic constructs are particularly relevant for settlements and regions of Russia, where a significant part of archaeological and architectural monuments has been destroyed or is at the last stage of destruction. The study was conducted on the materials of the Republic of Mordovia. An analysis of the experience of Mordovian scientists, who quickly identified and published a significant body of historical sources, showed their wide thematic and chronological spectrum. Thematically prevailing military-patriotic publications, chronologically related to the first half of the XIX and the first half of the XX century. Findings. Presenting modern publications of sources as an established form of broadcasting and updating cultural meanings, a way of preserving historical and cultural heritage, and the authors suggested that targeted activities to expand such “site of memory” (which are collections of documents and materials) should be expanded and deepened. The key problems of regional history - the national policy of the 1920s and 30s, collectivization, industrialization, etc., are its promising directions.