Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences / Saint Petersburg Mythology as a Marker of Ethno-Cultural Identity of City Dwellers

Full text (.pdf)
Issue
Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences. 2025 18 (5)
Authors
Mazalova, Natalia E.
Contact information
Mazalova, Natalia E.: Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography, Russian Academy of Sciences Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation; ; ORCID: 0000-0001-7586-4506
Keywords
mythology; St. Petersburg mythology; urban mythology; identity; identity marker
Abstract

St. Petersburg mythology is considered as a construct and a marker of ethno- cultural identity of city dwellers. On the basis of the analysis of St. Petersburg myths the position that they influence the construction of urban identity is substantiated. St. Petersburg identity is considered as a phenomenon in which various mythological motifs manifest themselves: St. Petersburg is the capital that emerged from oblivion, a city in a swamp that is under constant threat of extinction, a place where outstanding personalities lived and worked, St. Petersburg is a mystical, mysterious city, and others. Some components of St. Petersburg identity are elements of imperial identity, the realization that you live in an extraordinary city. There is hardly a resident of the city who does not know the myths of St. Petersburg. Modern myths fill St. Petersburg mythology with new meanings and allow citizens to emphasize their exclusivity. Myths are an integral part of St. Petersburg culture, they are one of the sources of creating the image of the city. It is concluded that urban mythology continues to be one of the sources of formation of St. Petersburg identity and its marker.

Pages
958–969
EDN
CQOTEG
Paper at repository of SibFU
https://elib.sfu-kras.ru/handle/2311/156123

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