Abstract:

Nationalism has been one of the most hotly debated issues concerning Russian Paganism, both within the movement and in public and scholarly debates about it. This article critically examines the usage of the concept in scholarly research. After considering Russian Pagan nationalistic discourse in general, it analyses a Pagan umbrella organization, the Circle of Pagan Tradition, as a case study, and focuses especially on its founding document, the Bitsa Appeal. Using this example, the article demonstrates the hazards in applying the concept of nationalism without very delicate consideration of its multiple aspects. Examining the Bitsa Appeal and the reception it received among Pagans also highlights some basic orientations and one central cause of internal tension within Russian Paganism.

Author: Kaarina Aitamurto