Karbainov N.I. Obrazy istorii Volzhskoy Bulgarii v postsovetskom Tatarstane: versiya elit i massovyye predstavleniya [Images of Volga Bulgaria’ history in postsoviet Tatarstan: elite version and mass representations]. Vlast’ i elity [Power and Elites], 2019, 6 (2): 107–133. (in Russian)

Abstract

The medieval state of Volga Bulgaria occupies an important place in the historical politics of modern Tatarstan. In history is presented in textbooks on history of Tatarstan as the «golden age» and «one of brightest civilizations in Europe». The history of Volga Bulgaria, which is broadcast by the elites in Tatarstan, unlike the history of the Golden Hord, does not contradict the historical politics of modern Russia. At the same time, the history of Volga Bulgaria is used by Tatar elites not only for purposes of historical politics, but also for the formation of the tourist brand of the Tatarstan. For most Kazan residents, the history of Volga Bulgaria on the one hand is the most interesting era in the history of Tatarstan, on the other hand, most Kazan residents do not this era as the «golden age». Also, most Kazan residents experience quite a bit of emotional experience in connection with the history of Volga Bulgaria, in contrast to the events of the 20th century. Therefore, based on results of our empirical research, we can only talk about the «partial Tatarization» (or «partial Bulgarization» in this case) of mass historical consciousness on the part of Tatar elites.