PRIORITIES OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL SPHERE: THEORY AND PRACTICE

Abstract

The article tackles the issues related to the development of cultural sphere in the modern Russian society. We analyze the priorities of developing the cultural sphere determined in national and regional programs and documents; we compare priorities from the perspective “federal center and regions” as well as the perspective “regions between themselves”. The data of sociological surveys undertaken correspond to the theoretical judgements on the priorities of the development of cultural sphere. The analysis of the documents that determine the development of cultural sphere allows us to make a conclusion that the assumptions of priorities of the cultural sphere development vary not only from the perspective “federal center and regions” but also when we compare different regions. This, among other problems, makes it impossible to formulate clear concept of the “All-Russian” identity and consecutively establish it. The central element in this process is the element of the Russian language, while its development and preservation is not indicated as a priority in 81 out of 85 regional programs of developing culture and art. The population in general views culture as the basis of the society’s functioning and highlights human values, such as raising a new generation and spiritual development of a society, among the main priorities.