Velikaya N.M. Cultural Development of Small and Medium-Sized Cities of Russia as a Factor of Preserving National Identity. Observatory of Culture. 2021;18(3):240-253. (In Russ.) https: ...

Abstract

The article considers the most significant issues of cultural development of Russian small and medium-sizes cities, in the era of globalization, in the context of such major social threats as the erosion of national and cultural identity, the loss of traditional cultural landscape and the reduction of cultural capital.Analyzing the legislative and financial bases of cultural policy in small and medium-sized cities of Russia, the author identifies the key problem areas of the state cultural policy.The empirical base of the study was obtained during the implementation of two research projects conducted in 2015 and 2019, the main methods of which had been document analysis, expert interviewing and case studies of the most successful projects in the field of culture. The data of specific sociological studies allowed us to consider the state of the cultural sphere in small and medium-sized cities and to identify the role of cultural activity of urban communities in the cultural process. The results of the case method indicate the most successful and effective projects in the cultural sphere, implemented on the basis of public-private partnership with the involvement of civil society.The article draws conclusions about potential directions of cultural policy in small and medium-sized cities of Russia, including investments, creation of urban development strategies and interaction with local communities.