The use of communication tools in the social construction of historical memory.

Usova Ekaterina Vladimirovna PhD in Politics Associate Professor; Department of Public Law and International Law; Astrakhan State University named after V.N. Tatishchev Associate Professor; Department of Journalism and Media Communications; Astrakhan State University named after V.N. Tatishchev Office a, 20 Tatishcheva St., Astrakhan, 414056, Russia, Astrakhan region sevruga81@yandex.ru Other publications by this author

Modern Russian society's perception of the events of the Great Patriotic War.

At the present stage of development of Russian society and the state, more and more attention is being paid to the problem of preserving the memory of the past. Every year, researchers from various scientific fields and research organizations turn to the study of public opinion. The results of the VTSIOM polls conducted in 2024 look optimistic. Thus, 61% of respondents call Victory Day the most important holiday for themselves, 89% talk about the Great Patriotic War in their family, 45% know about their relatives who participated in the war from family archives and stories of relatives. 56% of the representatives of the Thaw generation and 27% of the Zoomer generation are well aware of their relatives who participated in the Great Patriotic War. Victory Day is associated with the Day of remembrance and mourning (25%), among the generation born after 1992 this position is quite strong (41-42%). 67% of respondents perceive this day as the biggest victory in the history of the Russian state. (May 9 and the memory of the Great War // VTSIOM website. Accessed on 04/06/2025. URL: https://wciom.ru/analytical-reviews/analiticheskii-obzor/9-maja-i-pamjat-o-velikoi-voine )

The researchers note that as a result of the generational change in Russian society, changing forms of communication, the perception of historical events has transformed. The younger generation perceives the Soviet era as a distant past that has no direct impact on the present ^[1]. If the older generation associated the Great Patriotic War with personal experiences, suffering, and the death of relatives, the younger generation's image of the war is shaped by the stories of the older generation, the study of history in educational institutions, modern media, and the Internet, which emotionally alienates the latter from the events of the Great Patriotic War.

A.A. Andryushkov and others. It is argued that young people do not recognize themselves as the inheritors of a holistic history, because there is a gap in historical and cultural continuity, and there is no unified perception of the Soviet period in society, which is associated with the leveling of the values of Soviet society in the 1990s.^[2]

Historical memory plays a significant role in preserving national and state identity. Historical memory is formed by various subjects, including the state. Thus, in 2022, the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation "On approval of the foundations of state policy for the Preservation and Strengthening of traditional Russian spiritual and Moral Values" was adopted, which included responsibility for the fate of the Fatherland, historical memory, continuity of generations, unity of the peoples of Russia, etc. ^[3]

An indisputable role in shaping public consciousness belongs to the mass media. Mass information is public in nature and is aimed at meeting the needs of different social groups. Television and the Internet continue to be the main media outlets. Digital technologies make it possible to create paintings that have a great effect on the viewer's emotions. Computer operations of modeling characters, completing background elements and terrain are used, the sound becomes more realistic, which makes the movie understandable and accessible to the masses. In Soviet times, many films were made about the events and heroes of the Great Patriotic War. Modern directors continue to talk about the war. Films about the Great Patriotic War ("T-34" (2019, Russia), "Soldier Boy" (2019, Russia, Belarus), "I will give you victory" (2019, Russia, Armenia), "Podolsk Cadets" (2020, Russia), "Kalashnikov" (2020, Russia), "The Pilot" (2021, Russia), "Wings over Berlin" (2022, Russia), "Hygiene of Europe" (2023, Russia), "Air" (2024, Russia), "Litvyak" (2025, Russia), etc.) have gained popularity and are in demand in modern society. Veretennikova I.V. argues that the influence of educational literature on the acquisition of historical knowledge has decreased. Movies and TV shows are created taking into account the peculiarities of perception by the mass consciousness and are one of the main sources of information about the war that the younger generation receives.^[4] The monograph "Cultural Heritage and the connection of generations" suggests the problematic state of modern historical science in understanding the past, which influences the formation of the historical consciousness of the younger generation.^[5]

A review of the literature on the research problem.

The study of the means of communication used in the social construction of historical memory occupies one of the main places in modern science. Sociologists, political scientists, historians, etc. turn to the problem.

The works of foreign and Russian authors are devoted to the study of the phenomenon of historical memory. Thus, M. Halbwachs introduced the concept of "collective memory" and considered it in a historical context in his work "The Social Framework of Memory"^[6]. A. Assman explores historical memory through the prism of the tragic events of the first half of the twentieth century: the First and Second World Wars, the Holocaust.^[7]. D. Hain analyzes concepts that consider the relationship between traditional and digital media and memory, and comes up with results about the functionality of the Internet as part of cultural memory and a means of preserving it.^[8] X. van Dijk adheres to the concept of mediatization, believes that memory and media are so interconnected that they cannot be investigated as independent phenomena. In particular, the author investigated the processes of interrelation of consciousness, technology and culture. ^[9]

The collective monograph "Commemorative practices as a tool for constructing public consciousness" (Kazakhstan) is of interest. ^[10]. In the work, the authors focus on the text of historical memory, dividing it into four narratives corresponding to the levels of historical knowledge – scientific, public, official and folklore. Significant attention is also paid to the visualization of history.

The analysis of Russian research has shown that special attention in the scientific community is paid to commemorative practices. Thus, in the work of N.A. Lysova, PR activity is considered as one of the directions of state policy in the field of culture. The author justifiably argues that the leading role in the management of PR activities is inherent in the state, which forms cultural policy. The author's main attention is focused on historical reconstructions, the variety of "forms of representation of commemorative representative practices in historical reconstruction," as well as their promotion and popularization. The author explores historical reconstructions as a form of representation of the material and spiritual values of culture, memorialization of historical experience and its affirmation in collective memory. ^[11]

The article by E.A. Tokareva examines the studied social practices peculiar to the Russian information space, expressing the policy of memory.^[12]

M.L. Shub states that there is currently no unified understanding of the essence of memorials in modern science. Paying attention to the functional, substantive, and structural aspects of this category, the author reveals its educational and educational potential. Exploring different concepts of the problems of historical memory formation, the author comes to the conclusion that they create a special phenomenon formed on the basis of current demands of society, solving significant tasks.^[13] The role of commemorative practices in patriotic education is discussed in a scientific article by M.A. Kindzerskaya, which draws attention to the rethinking of the phenomenon of monuments and events of the Great Patriotic War. The author notes their symbolic meaning. ^[14]

K.E. Sefer explores public art in the context of the theory of the "place of memory", the metaphorization of space. The results of the study are presented by identifying the problems of memorial practice based on real cases of public art projects. The author expresses a well-founded opinion about the outdoor compositions that act as spatial markers that make up the "memory map" of the city. ^[15] This position of the author provides the basis for further research of commemorative practices in territorial branding, since compositions form the cultural code of the territory and the image of the place, carry a semantic load.

Some works in the scientific community are devoted to social projects implemented by regional media aimed at forming historical and cultural memory of the Great Patriotic War. Thus, P.N. Khamidullina analyzes the project "Street of Heroes", in which television stories about streets named after Heroes of the Soviet Union were prepared, and evaluates the effectiveness of the project. The author reasonably concludes that the basis of historical and cultural memory in modern society is formed by the information and communication environment, including the media. (Khamidullina P.N. The television project "Street of Heroes" as a means of forming historical and cultural memory of the Great Patriotic War // Cultural memory and cultural identity / ed. by E.I. Rabinovich. Yekaterinburg: Ural Publishing House. University, 2016. pp. 371-374.)

The results of the study

The problem of communication in the formation of historical memory is an urgent area. There is a need for historical information in society. Communication plays an important role in the preservation of cultural heritage. We agree with the opinion of N.A. Lysova that "the problem of preserving, broadcasting, actualizing and in some cases reactualizing cultural experience, cultural memory and cultural heritage is fundamentally important." E.A. Tokareva pays special attention to the growing crisis of the spiritual sphere, which requires an appeal to historical memory. At the state level, the development of information policy in the field of culture, its strategy and tactics are based on the results of public opinion research, while taking into account the needs of society and the state. Popularization and educational activities, as well as a set of measures and actions for the preparation and holding of special events, are the main activities for forming public opinion about historical events that have played a significant role in the development of Russian society and the state, establishing important historical facts in the public consciousness, and forming values related to historical and cultural experience.

As already mentioned, commemorative practices are considered as a means of communication. Commemoration is an act of public remembrance, social practices based on the mobilized collective memory of events and personalities who played an important role in the development of Russian society and the state. Presented in various forms (narrative (publication of memoirs about events, literary and artistic works), visual (photographs), monumental (architectural monuments, museums), ceremonial (formation of traditions of commemoration), artistic (films, books, theatrical productions, etc.) they affect the public consciousness, faced with the problem paradigm shifts – from the complete denial of the Soviet past to its acceptance with all the contradictions. This fact should be taken into account when planning and implementing communication programs aimed at mobilizing the memory of the events and personalities of the Great Patriotic War. The way society perceives and interprets its history is, to a certain extent, the result of commemoration.

Communication in the 21st century has undergone significant changes. The use of digital technologies has become the basis for the development of new forms of communication. Modern technologies, penetrating into all spheres of public life, have become an integral part of it. Interaction between people has acquired a new format.^[16] Manuel Castells, developing ideas about communication in the digital age, spoke about the gradual combination of horizontal communication networks and traditional forms of unidirectional mass communication, as well as the ability of different actors to generate their own content and distribute it in cyberspace.^[17]

Information about public acts of remembrance, honoring heroes, creating museum expositions dedicated to history and military subjects, and erecting monuments is widely covered in the media and on the Internet, as it is aimed at the general public.

Attention should be paid to the close connection between the two terms "commemoration" and "memorialization". The first, the act of public remembrance, is closely interrelated with the second, the creation of urban space objects that serve as reminders of past events. Modern researchers name such characteristics of memorials as publicity, collectivity, ritualism, retro-orientation, emotionality. A distinctive feature of memorialization is its focus on creating long-term objects and spaces that preserve the memory of a historical event, personality, etc. Such objects include monuments, memorials, museums, etc.

Using the example of the modern Astrakhan region, we will illustrate the use of communication tools aimed at forming the historical memory of the local population.

After the end of the Great Patriotic War, memorials, sculptural groups, monuments, etc. were usually erected in the city and region for anniversaries. In 1965, an obelisk was erected in the Bratsk Garden and an Eternal Flame was lit, in 1985 Victory Boulevard was created, opening with a T-34 tank and ending with a monument to the lost ships. In modern times, the Cranes stele was erected in Victory Square.

It is worth noting that the process of commemoration in urban space was implemented back in Soviet times ^[18]. The theme of fellow countrymen-heroes is heard in memorial practice. In 1966, a monument to Hero of the Soviet Union Stepan Zdorovtsev was erected on the territory of the boarding school. In the post-war years, there was a practice of naming streets after heroes of the Great Patriotic War - Zaslonov, Dovator, Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya, Krivorotov, Boris Alekseev, Kulikov, etc. (Streets with heroic names. What are Boris Alekseev and Natasha Kachuyevskaya famous for? // Astrakhan News Portal website KASPYINFO.RU ". Accessed 02.02.2025. URL: https://kaspyinfo.ru/news/komsomolec-kaspiya/29346 ). In recent years, the number of streets in Astrakhan named after heroes continues to be actively replenished (for example, in 2023, 26 new streets were named after Astrakhan heroes of the USSR). Naming streets after the heroes of the Great Patriotic War symbolizes the memory of brave pilots, tankmen, sappers, machine gunners, doctors, and partisans (In Astrakhan, 92 streets are named after the heroes of the Great Patriotic War // Website of the Administration of the Astrakhan City District Municipal Formation. Accessed 02.02.2025. URL: https://astrgorod.ru/news/v-astrahani-92-ulicy-nazvany-v-chest-geroev-velikoy-otechestvennoy-voyny ).

In 2022, an event occurred that required additional actions to form a new image of the city among the population of the region. By decree of the President of the Russian Federation in 2022, the city of Astrakhan was awarded the honorary title of "City of Labor Valor". This event was preceded by work initiated by the Governor of the Astrakhan region to create a working group of representatives of state cultural institutions, historians and local historians, the results of which were confirmed by a positive expert opinion from the Russian Academy of Sciences, and then by representatives of regional authorities and sent to the President of the Russian Federation. The honorary title "City of Labor Valor" was awarded in order to perpetuate the feat of home front workers during the Great Patriotic War. It is awarded to cities whose residents have made a significant contribution to achieving Victory. (Astrakhan was awarded the honorary title "City of labor valor" // Website of the City Duma of the Municipal formation "Astrakhan City District". Accessed 02.02.2025. URL: https://duma-astrakhan.ru/astraxan-udostoena-pochetnogo-zvaniya-gorod-trudovoj-doblesti /)

Media communication (creation, processing, broadcasting, exchange of information in a mass, group format through various channels of mass communications ^[19]) was carried out using communicative means – regional electronic media, Internet sites of Astrakhan and regional authorities, groups of regional and local communities. As a rule, it is in the regional channels that you can find information about the events taking place in it. Regional media are the link between government authorities, opinion leaders and residents of the region. They represent the main source for the study of the regional information space.

Using the Internet, it is possible to form public opinion about certain events. The channel or website of an organization that forms its own policy often acts as an opinion leader. Speech tools have an impact on users and form public opinion. These include objectivity in the presentation of news (lack of emotion, concreteness, accuracy), direct impact on the audience in messages, indirect impact, psychological impact (stabilizing and calming), etc. ^[20]

Shaping the perception of Astrakhan as a city of labor valor is relevant today. Therefore, the local community is actively involved in the communication process through:

- voting for the choice of places for commemorative objects (For example, a "popular vote" was held on social networks for the choice of a place to erect a stele "City of Labor Valor" for the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. The results of the vote were announced by local media) (By Victory Day, a stele "City of Labor Valor" will be erected in Astrakhan // Website "Astrakhan24". Accessed 02.02.2025. URL: https://a24.press/news/pobeda/2025-01-25/ko-dnyu-pobedy-v-astrahani-ustanovyat-stelu-gorod-trudovoy-doblesti-182076);

- information about the laying of the foundation stone, the progress of construction and reconstruction of memorial sites (for example: "Victory Boulevard will be repaired in Astrakhan" // Website "Astrakhan24". Accessed 02.02.2025. URL: https://a24.press/news/improvement/2025-01-28/v-astrahani-otremontiruyut-bulvar-pobedy-182328 );

- participation in the opening of monuments, memorials, etc.

It should be noted that the announcement of plans to install the stele used such speech tools as the objectivity of information (it was reported about the date of signing the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation on awarding the honorary title to the city), it was also indicated that the location of the stele was chosen by the majority of Astrakhan residents who took part in the voting. The message used words aimed at the emotions and feelings of the audience, emphasizing the significance and importance of the object being installed. The following expressions were used to indirectly influence public consciousness: "The stele will become another symbol of endless gratitude to the Astrakhan people for their labor feat"; "This stele is of great importance to every Astrakhan. I am sure it will become a place of attraction for both residents of the city and for guests" (The stele "City of Labor Valor" will become a new symbol of Astrakhan // Website of the Astrakhan regional branch of the United Russia Party. Accessed 04/01/2025. URL: https://astrakhan.er.ru/activity/news/stela-gorod-trudovoj-doblesti-stanet-novym-simvolom-astrahani). Thus, the information messages used expressions that emphasize the significance and importance of the installation of the stele, as well as its potential impact on the life of the city.

It should also be noted that museums traditionally play a significant role in the formation of historical memory. Modern museums have communication specifics, which is caused by the introduction of multimedia technologies into the museum communication process. The traditional activity of the museum has ceased to be perceived in the digital age and requires a change in the museum space.^[21] Modern digital technologies make it possible to attract the public not only with text, but also with video clips, animations, images, etc., which should be taken into account when developing communication projects. It should be noted that this area of communication in the region is not well developed.

Thus, communication has an important place in shaping public consciousness. The elements that fill the urban space in recent years should be characterized as spatial markers that make up the "memory map" of the city. On the one hand, the creation of monuments, museums, memorial complexes, and naming streets after heroes is a tool for shaping cultural identity. On the other hand, by performing communicative and educational functions, public consciousness is influenced through media and structural communication channels, and brand territories are formed.