«Mother Volga» and «Mother Russia»: On the Role of the River in Gendering Russianness

P. 81–97.

Рябов О. В.

For centuries “Mother Russia” has been one of the most important symbols of Russian culture. This symbol has been formed by various factors, which cannot be considered without analyzing another well-known maternal symbol  – “Mother Volga.” Just how popular is the symbol of “Mother Volga” in Russian culture? What traits are attributed to it? How are they gendered? What role does it play? How does it influence stereotypes of Russianness? And finally, to what degree are maternal images of river and country correlated?

Keywords: национальная идентичность, "русскость", Russianness, образ матери, Волга, Volga, Russian national identity, motherhood, Родина-мать, The symbol of the Motherland, Mother Russia, image of mother, Россия-матушка

In book

Meanings and Values of Water in Russian Culture

Vol. 34. , L.: Routledge, 2016.