DISADVANTAGES OF THE FORMATION OF THE MEMORY POLICY IN RUSSIA (the results of the generalization of expert opinions)

The presented research is devoted to the topic of shortcomings in the formation of the Russian policy of memory. The purpose of this work is to identify the problems existing in this field, and to develop proposals for their elimination. The article was based on materials from 10 expert interviews. Methodological base of work is formed by expert interview and descriptive analysis. The effectiveness of the memorial policy is evaluated by experts from pragmatic positions: Russia’s positive image on the domestic and foreign policy arena, the formation and strengthening of national-state identity and the consolidation of society are positioned as its main tasks. Attempts to use the policy of memory as an instrument for settling international relations by concessions are assessed negatively by experts. The building of a national memory policy is assumed solely on the basis of the “memory of the winners”. The appeal to the discourse of “the memory of the vanquished” is seen as a destructive approach fraught with serious political risks. Among the latter include the erosion of Russian identity, the particularization of society, the growth of social anomie, the increase in the influence of political and religious radicals. As the main “pain points” of Russia's memorial policy, its opportunistic nature, the controversial, complex nature of the content side, ignoring foreign experience and the presence of obsolete elements in the toolkit impact on the target audience are highlighted. The necessity of qualitative mastering of new formats of communication with the target audience is grounded (video blogging, creation of comics, multi-serial animated films targeting young people and adult audiences). The most positive examples of building a memory policy are the cases of the USA and Japan.