Cover Osteuropa 11-12/2017

In Osteuropa 11-12/2017

“Eurasia” instead of the “Russian World”
On the transformation of a iridescent concept

Il’ja Kukulin


Deutsche Fassung

Abstract

The Eurasianists of the 1920s regarded Eurasia as a political, cultural and spiritual antipode to the western world. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, this concept enjoyed a renaissance. Once again, it took on imperialist, anti-western features. However, for several years, some intellectuals have been redefining the term. The ethno-nationalist mobilisation in Russia has meant that in the humanities, “Eura-sia” has become a counter-concept to the “Russian World”. The intention is to replace the hegemonial claim in favour of all things Russian with the notion of a post-imperialist space for different cultures.

(Osteuropa 11-12/2017, pp. 173–186)