ABSTRACT
The chapter deals with puzzling features of contemporary Russian collective memory. While analysing popular, historical and political narratives such as celebrating strategies, historical texts and political declarations, the author argues that the Ukrainian crisis produced a new type of historical consciousness in Russia which is connected with the conservative, populist turn in Russian politics. The author concludes that in order to maintain the regime and mobilise the support, officials aim to rebuild Soviet images and promote an alternative to the Western model, emphasising traditional values, the Orthodox roots of contemporary culture and popular unity.
