Historical narrative in the literature of the peoples of Siberia in 1940–1980s: the annexation to Russia as a foundation myth

The article examines the influence of state memory policy on the depiction of the national past in the literature of the peoples of Siberia during the period 1940–1980. Based on the materials of Altai, Buryat, Khakass, and Yakut literatures, it demonstrates that the representation of national history in Soviet-era works was closely intertwined with the concept of “friendship of peoples”. According to this concept, the peoples of Siberia initially entered into friendship with the Russians from the outset and voluntarily acceded to the Russian state, resulting in exclusively positive outcomes for their historical destinies. Literary texts constructed a historical narrative that aligned with state rhetoric and scholarly works of that period. Central to this narrative is the accession to Russia, presented as a pivotal moment in national history and functioning as a founding myth. The pre-Russian past was portrayed as a time of darkness and privation. The accession to Russia is depicted as the acquisition of kind and selfless friends in the form of the Russian people and the Russian state, who assume guardianship over the indigenous peoples and pave the way for a more prosperous future. The post-accession era is presented as a period of continuous improvement. Significantly, this historical narrative exhibits a hierarchical view of the relationship between the state and its constituent peoples, assigning them unequal roles in the historical process. Russia is conceived as the center of civilization and progress, with the Russian people cast as the primary agents of its achievements. Simultaneously, the peoples of Siberia are depicted as initially situated outside the bounds of civilized society, with alliance with Russians on terms of “younger brothers” presented as the sole means of acceding to world civilization and progress. This perspective on the past of non-Russian peoples reinforced the notion of their inextricable bond with the state, outside of which no felicitous future or national development was conceivable.