Building the Russian World: Cultural Diplomacy of the Russian Language and Cultural Identity

Abstract

This article explores the topics of Russian diaspora and the politics of culture and identity, expressed through Russia’s humanitarian cooperation initiatives. The study posits that the Russian cultural diplomacy policy focuses on the compatriots living abroad and the Russian Diaspora to create and solidify Russkiy Mir [Russian World] communities and turn them into Russia’s advocates abroad. The study extends the argument that the Russian language is treated as one of the main tools in Russia’s soft power arsenal to foster loyal and supportive attitudes toward Russia among the Russian-speaking communities. Such policy accentuates language as an important marker of stronger sense of belonging and self-identification (in this case with the Russian World) and a critical element in the construction of cultural and/or ethnic identity. The study highlights the complexity and diversity of Russian Diasporas and Russian compatriots that comprise Russkiy Mir, specifically in the United States, and discusses the socio-linguistic factors these efforts must take into account in the Russian-speaking Diasporas abroad.