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Zhdanov S.S., Braininger K.V. [Image of Berlin in the travelogue «Across Europe and the East: Essays and pictures» by N.N. Lender] World of Science. Series: Sociology, Philology, Cultural Studies, 2025, Vol. 16, No. 2. Available at: https://sfk-mn.ru/PDF/07FLSK225.pdf (in Russian).

Image of Berlin in the travelogue «Across Europe and the East: Essays and pictures» by N.N. Lender

Zhdanov Sergey Sergeyevich
Siberian State University of Geosystems and Technologies, Novosibirsk, Russia
E-mail: fstud2008@yandex.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8898-6497
RSCI: https://elibrary.ru/author_profile.asp?id=321085

Braininger Kristina Vasilievna
Novosibirsk Higher Military Command Order of Zhukov School, Novosibirsk, Russia
E-mail: Kristina.braininger@yandex.ru

Abstract. The article analyzes descriptions of Berlin spatiality based on the book by N.N. Lender «Across Europe and the East». The city serves as a metaphor for broader political and social changes in Europe. The points of contact between the space of the Alien and the space of One’s Own are indicated. One’s Own is associated with Russian culture and mentality, while the Alien is represented by the image of Berlin. The phenomenon of the so-called «Russian Germany» is considered, including the Russian church in Berlin, the Russian colony of Alexandrovka, the «Russian corner» in Tegel, as well as the clash of two spaces — Alien and One’s Own. At the same time, being in the space of the Alien for a long time, Russian identity becomes part of the Alien. German Berlin, which in Lender’s text has an ambivalent nature, is also analyzed. The positive side of Berlin life is characterized by motives of cleanliness, light, neatness, scale and idleness. In addition, Berlin is marked by motives of peace and security. At the same time, Berlin is saturated with negative motives: greed, heartlessness, immorality, devilish temptation. In this context, the Berlin space is contrasted with the space of the rest of provincial Germany, which is characterized by patriarchy and spirituality. Accordingly, the authors concluded that «light» and «dark» Berlin are closely interconnected. At the same time, the light that fills the locus sometimes only emphasizes the negative aspects of city life.

Keywords: imagology; travelogue; city image; space; Berlin; Germany; N.N. Lender; Russian literature of the 20th century

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