Spaces and times of liminality in Russian and Soviet expansion endeavours

Abstract

Based on the concept of liminality, the paper focuses on the effects of Russian expansion endeavours in various areas of the European post-Soviet realm. The notion of liminality, originally elaborated by Dutch–German–French ethnographer and folklorist Arnold van Gennep and subsequently expanded by British cultural anthropologist Victor Turner, denotes transitions (‘threshold’ situations) during which social hierarchies temporarily dissolve, the continuity of prior traditions are questioned, and formerly fix structures become uncertain. During these liminal periods, the dissolution of order evokes ambiguous, fluid and malleable situations that enable the establishment of another fix structure. The theoretical framework of liminality can be applied in the case of various temporalities (spanning from immediate moments through periods to longer epochs), at any geographical scales (ranging from concrete localities through larger areas or zones to entire countries or macro-regions), as well as for any subjects including individuals, different social groups, and in the case of entire societies – within the confines of this paper, we provide examples of the latter. In spite of the exceptional versatility and flexibility of the notion, however, it has not been substantially exploited in the field of human geography to date.

With the help of this underlying concept, we examine liminal periods which triggered allencompassing changes in the areas affected by Russian expansion endeavours. Concerning the impacts of Russian expansion, we identify four main liminal time periods that are discussed on the example of the affected nations and their respective territories. 1. First, we provide a concise overview of the liminality experienced by Crimean Tatar communities as a result of the 18th century Russian expansion towards the direction of the Black Sea. 2. After that, on the example of Chechens, we describe liminality in the Caucasian region that was generated by the Soviet socialist state, the successor of the Russian Tsarist Empire. 3. Following that, the politicoeconomic transition of the late-20th century created an opportunity to leave the constraints of the Soviet era behind, which is discussed in the context of the changes taking place in the Baltic states. 4. Lastly, by exploring the background of the current situation in Ukraine, reflections are made on the external factors of prolonged liminality in Ukrainian society, as well as on its geopolitical connotations.