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From: H-Net Discussion List on Folklore and Ethnology [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ergo-Hart Västrik [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2013 2:20 AM
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Subject: [H-FOLK] CFP: “Mythological Models and Ritual Behaviour in the Soviet and Post-Soviet Sphere” (September 26–28, 2013; Moscow)

From: Mikhail Alekseevsky <[log in to unmask]>
Date: June 3, 2013 9:53:37 AM GMT+03:00

Dear colleagues,

on September 26–28, 2013, the Centre for Typological and Semiotic
Folklore Studies at the Russian State University for the Humanities
(Moscow) will hold an international conference “Mythological models
and ritual behaviour in the Soviet and post-Soviet sphere”.

The Soviet ideology whose aim was to construct a new world was
explicitly based on a rationalistic, materialistic paradigm and
denounced anything mythological and super-rational. At the same time,
however, it actively used traditional images and religious metaphors
in its quest for creating a new Soviet person, and even people opposed
to the Soviet system not infrequently shaped their protest using the
very same mythological models and dichotomies. In other words, the
loyalty to the system as well as the opposition towards it was marked
by means of a complex and heterogeneous system of mythological texts,
prohibitions, and prescriptions. As a consequence of this, some of the
patterns formed during the Soviet era continue to be potent in the
post-Soviet period. At the same time we see the emergence of new
mythological complexes and practices based to a large extent on the
opposition towards the values of the Soviet era.

The main aim of the conference is to trace these processes in their
diachrony and analyse their manifestations and interrelations at
particular points of time. Presentations investigating the following
topics are the most welcome:

•       taboos and euphemisms;
•       transformations of traditional mythological beliefs;
•       mechanisms used in the creation of the anti-Soviet ideology;
•       the emergence of the new ritualistic culture;
•       new magical beliefs and practices;
•       legendary biographies of political leaders and national heroes;
•       impostors and hoaxers of the Soviet era;
•       the scientific progress as the basis of the new mythology;
•       the anthropology of money in the Soviet and post-Soviet periods;
•       falsification of historical documents as a means of constructing a
mythology.

The deadline for abstract submissions is July 1, 2013. An abstract
(not exceeding 300 words) including the description of the material to
be analysed in the presentation and the formulation of the problem, as
well as the information about the author (name, degree, affiliation, e-
mail, and phone number), should be sent to [log in to unmask] The
decision on the inclusion of the presentation in the conference
programme will be made by July 20.

The conference will be divided into several sessions. Each of them
will commence with a lection by an invited keynote speaker on the
problem relevant for the section’s main topic. Sections will include
from three to five participants. All presentations will be followed by
a short review made by a specially invited scholar. Each section will
end with questions and general discussion.

The papers presented at the conference should be accompanied by a
PowerPoint presentation and, if possible, by distribution of handouts.

The working languages of the conference are Russian and English.

Please bear it in mind that the conference proceedings will be
published in advance. Consequently, all the participants whose talk
will be included in the programme should submit the full text of their
paper not exceeding 2000 words before September 1, 2013. The style
sheet will be provided in due time.

Unfortunately, we are unable to cover any transportation and
accommodation costs.

The organising committee:
Mikhail Alekseevsky (SRCRF), Alexandra Arkhipova (CTSFS RSUH), Jacob
Fruchtmann (Forschungstelle Osteuropa, Bremen), Olga Khristoforova
(CTSFS RSUH), Sergey Neklyudov (CTSFS RSUH), Anna Sokolova (Institute
for Ethnology and Anthropology RAS).

Contacts:
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Tel.: +74999734354
Coordinator of the conference: Natalya Petrova (CTSFS RSUH)

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