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Shaltaeva L.A. Specific entry: Northern and Arctic Societies AnnotationThis study examines the role of cultural cooperation in the development of identification mechanisms in the Barents Euro-Arctic Region (BEAR) prior to the transformation of multilateral interaction, associated with Russia’s termination of its participation in 2022 and its withdrawal from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council in 2023. The Barents Region is considered a construct formed by political elites, the existence of which was sustained, amongst other things, by the implementation of identity policies through cultural interaction between participants in interregional cooperation. The study reveals how cultural interaction contributed to the formation of the Barents Region’s identity. The article analyses a number of cultural projects through which identity politics were implemented in the BEAR. Using qualitative content analysis of cultural initiatives, the study identified the key symbolic narratives underpinning identity politics in the BEAR. These narratives include categories used to represent the Barents Region to both internal and external audiences. It is emphasized that the formation of regional identity in BEAR has been largely a by-product of broader multilateral cooperation, rather than a formally defined strategic objective of the cooperation partners. The findings are particularly relevant in the context of recent political changes. This study is of interest both for further academic research and for practical regional development planning.About authors
Ludmila A. Shaltaeva, Research Assistant KeywordsBarents Euro-Arctic Region, BEAR, identity, cultural cooperation, content analysis, constructivismUDC341.232.7(98)(045)This work is licensed under a CC BY-SA License. |
