ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Eur. J. Cult. Manag. Policy
The role of classical music as an instrument of national identity actualization in the Russian Federation; the case of concert programming in the Saint Petersburg State Philharmonic
University of the Arts Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Abstract
The article focuses on discovering how the state-supported classical music organization, Saint Petersburg State Philharmonics, season programming is used as an instrument of national identity actualization in Russia. The research is a qualitative, single case study, based on social constructivist approach. It comprises documented data, including Russian cultural policy reports (2014-2023) and Saint Petersburg State Philharmonics season programs (2013-2023). The collected data is subjected to thematic analysis, through which themes, in connection to national identity formation are generated. The findings of the analysis on the cultural policy reports present five themes; Proud History and Patriotism, Russian Language and Literature, Upbringing, Enlightenment, and Religion and Spirituality. These themes are actualized in the Philharmonic's season programming, thus functioning as evidence of the state's expanding control over the organization. The findings indicate that national identity agenda and classical music´s role in it is strong. Consequently, the article proves that classical music is a functioning tool of national identity actualization in Russia.
Summary
Keywords
Cultural policy, SPb Philharmonic, Season Programming, National Identity, Russia
Received
29 April 2025
Accepted
19 December 2025
Copyright
© 2026 Koskinen. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Kara Erika Koskinen, karakoskine@gmail.com
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