Definition
The making of Russian heroes refers to the mythologizing and heroicizing process in the Russian space. Considering that Russian heroism reflects the system of universal humanistic values, it gains its specificity with the East Slavic peoples’ heroic acts, gaining new connotations in the imperial era and being transformed during the Soviet period. Slight mutations occur after the fall of the Soviet Union in an attempt to contribute to the new Russian national identity.
The Russian hero-making development revolves around rulers and (later sanctified) warriors, while military campaigns and victories constitute the main Russian heroic accomplishments. In this light, the Russian concept podvig, usually translated as “heroic deed,” dates to the medieval period, combining the original meaning of “ascetic” and a great act. Although many deeds could be considered heroic, the Russian memory retains those linked to the military area and...
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Grădinaru, O. (2023). Making of Russian Heroes. In: Encyclopedia of Heroism Studies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17125-3_405-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17125-3_405-1
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