The using of Novgorod's medieval history in the city's positioning in the 20th and early 21st centuries

Abstract

Based on the analysis of official documents and publications in the periodical press, in the article we examine the practice of using the history of medieval Novgorod in the politics of the Novgorod government during the Soviet and post-Soviet periods. We explore the narratives of officials, the trends in changing the image depending on the political situation, and the practices of commemoration, such as the installation of monuments, the celebration of anniversaries, and toponymic policies. The article traces the history of the formation and development of the concept of positioning Veliky Novgorod as the origin of Russian statehood based on the historical and cultural heritage of the Middle Ages, from the installation of the monument “The Millennium of Russia” in 1862 to the brands “Veliky Novgorod – the Motherland of Russia” and “University City” in
the 21st century. The most important tool for promoting Novgorod to both tourists and the country's leadership is events related to the city's anniversaries (1100 years in 1959, 1125 years in 1984, 1140 years in 1999, and 1150 years in 2009) and the anniversary of Russian statehood (1150 years in 2012), as well as the 750th anniversary of Alexander Nevsky in 1970 and the Days of Slavic Literacy and Culture in 1988. The city's part in the Hanseatic League of the New Era and the first international Hanseatic Days in Russia in 2009 provide additional incentives for the authorities to revive and utilize the city's medieval history, strengthen its leadership among ancient Russian cities, and foster international cooperation.