From Periphery to Center: Constructing and Transforming the Culture of Russian Emigration in Harbin in the First Half of the 20th Century

The subject of the research is the process of transformation of Russian emigration culture in Harbin in the first half of the 20th century. The object of the study is this culture as a holistic phenomenon in its dynamics—from the status of a peripheral formation to the acquisition of traits of an independent cultural center. The author examines aspects of the topic such as historical conditions and driving forces of this transformation, mechanisms of intercultural interaction between the Russian diaspora and Chinese society, as well as the formation of unique characteristics of the urban culture of Harbin. Particular attention is given to the paradoxes that arose during the development of Russian culture in Harbin and the related issues of cultural interaction. Harbin, while not being the historical homeland of Russian culture, nevertheless developed a distinctive and influential form of it on Chinese territory. The study employs a comprehensive methodology, including historical and cultural analysis for reconstructing the process, a comparative method for contrasting different stages, and theoretical analysis within the framework of the "center-periphery" model, incorporating concepts from cultural anthropology and semiotics. The main findings of the conducted research are as follows: under specific historical circumstances, a cultural center possesses attributes of "constructiveness" and "mobility"; Harbin played an indispensable role as an "intercultural translator," facilitating the adaptation and transmission of Russian culture in China. A unique contribution of the author to the study of the topic is the systemic examination of the phenomenon of Harbin emigration through the lens of the "center-periphery" paradigm, which helped reveal the internal mechanisms of its evolution. The novelty of the research lies in the integration of anthropological and semiotic approaches for analyzing the Russian cultural enclave abroad, enhancing the understanding of the innovative potential of peripheral cultures and the logic of intercultural communication. The results of the work have practical value for the realm of cultural policy, contemporary practices of cultural dialogue, as well as for the preservation and modernization of the historical heritage of diasporas.