Performing Masculinity: Cossack Myth and Reality in Post- Soviet Revival Movements

The Cossack revival movement that began in earnest after 1991 has been called one of the most remarkable features of Russia’s transition to postSocialism;1 in large part it grew out of the Russian folk music and dance revival movement. In fact, one may say that Cossack identity survived because folk music revival created the forum for that identity’s performance. Moreover, much of the Russian folk revival movement’s distinctiveness arose from its intersection with the Cossack revival movement.