The European Conference on Literature and Librarianship 2014

The European Conference on Literature and Librarianship 2014

The European Conference on Literature and Librarianship 2014

An intense interest in national identity is a paradoxical but an utterly human reaction
to globalization.

The paper considers the role of national literature in shaping and preserving national
identity with Russian classical literature as a source material. The word classical is
pivotal here because it implies that a work of literature has been read and acknowledged
by
many
generations
of
the
nation
despite
changes
in
their
way
of
living,
cul-
ture, ideology, world outlook, etc., inevitable in the course of history.

Consequently it is classical literature (among other factors) that moulds a nation, its
identity, character and culture. Therefore it may serve as a key to a magic door behind
which the nation’s enigmatic soul dwells because all differences of national identities
are obscure and mysterious to other nations. The reason for this is ethnocentrism, i.e.
perception of one’s own culture as the only right, acceptable and standard one. It
causes hostility, xenophobia and aggression thus threatening humanity.

The best way to ensure a peaceful life on the Earth is to give the right for self-identity
to all nations. We should be grateful to that national literature which stops the word
and the hand threatening other peoples.

Svetlana Ter-Minasova