A New Russian Culture?

The Russian authorities plan to make the Russia's War on Ukraine the central theme of their cultural policy, reviving Soviet-style control over the arts. This includes strengthening creative unions, imposing ideological requirements for state-funded projects, and organizing trips to occupied Ukrainian territories.

These plans are outlined in a document developed by Sergei Novikov, head of the presidential administration's department for public projects and discovered by journalists from Dosye Tsentr (Dossier Center). Known as a "hunter of ideological enemies," Novikov compiles blacklists of artists and organizes trips to Donbas for artists seeking redemption. His main goal is to integrate Putin's war into the daily lives of Russians. Novikov describes changing Russian citizens' attitudes towards the war as an existential task.

Recent sociological research indicates a waning public interest in Russia's War on Ukraine, with films on the topic performing poorly at the box office and often replaced by fairy tales. According to Novikov's documents reviewed by the Dossier Center, the Kremlin is concerned about this trend. It plans to address this by overhauling the country's cultural management system.

Specific measures have been developed and implemented, including ideological requirements for state-funded art. By 2025, officials aim for half of the state-commissioned works to promote traditional values and support the war. The war should be a key theme and an integral part of any artistic narrative and a starting point for value-based discussions.

Officials also propose making creative unions, like the Writers' Union, central to the new cultural policy. Novikov suggests converting creative houses in Peredelkino, Abramtsevo, Repino, and Ivanovo into residences for young artists and writers who support the war. Writers are encouraged to travel to occupied Ukrainian territories to document the establishment of "peaceful life," the "liberation" of cities, and the experiences of combat units.

Novikov also feels it would be a key initiative to create a "fashionable glossy" literary magazine about the war, similar to The New Yorker. Additionally, he proposes establishing the country's main literary prize with an authoritative jury and secret voting to ensure the winner is approved by the Presidential Administration. "The task, like the Stalin Prize in its time, is to provide annual examples of the genre," Novikov writes.