Soviet monumental mosaics of Veliky Novgorod as a part of the modern urban landscape

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34680/urbis-2024-4(2)-242-253

 

Elvira Gepting

Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University, Veliky Novgorod, Russia
[email protected] 

ORCID: 0000-0001-7210-6726

 

Yulia Merinova

Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University, Veliky Novgorod, Russia
[email protected]

ORCID: 0009-0002-0507-6656

 

 

ABSTRACT

The article deals with Soviet monumental mosaic art in Veliky Novgorod, where today there are about 40 surviving mosaic panels created in the 50–80s of the 20th century. Despite their potential cultural and historical value, these works have no protected status and are under threat of destruction. The study aims to determine the place of Soviet mosaics in the modern urban landscape and to draw attention to their preservation. To achieve this goal, the authors have registered the mo-saics, performed their photo-fixation, and conducted a survey among residents about the significance of mosaic works. The results show that although mosaics are often perceived as a familiar element of everyday life, most respondents support the initiative to preserve them. The article also emphasizes the relevance of mosaics in shaping the unique artistic image of Novgorod and offers several recommendations for their preservation and promotion. The authors argue that the mo-saics can become significant objects of the urban environment and contribute to the development of local tourism if the efforts of researchers, the public, and authorities are combined.

 

KEYWORDS: monumental art, Soviet mosaic, urban studies, urban landscape, historical memory

 

 

References

 

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Parfenova, K. (2021, May 13). Mosaic panels in Veliky Novgorod. GPVN.ru. URL: https://gpvn.ru/28550 (accessed: April 19, 2024). (In Russian).

 

Revzin, G. I. (2019). How the city is organized. Strelka Press. (In Russian).

 

Studenikin, N. A. (2024). Soviet mosaic in a modern Russian city. How can a monumental heritage become valuable again? Urban Studies and Practices, 9(1), 55‒79. (In Russian).

 

Volodina, T. V. (1984). Novgorod artists. Bibliographic dictionary. Novgorodskaya Pravda. (In Russian).

 

 

Information about the authors

Elvira L. Gepting
Cand. Sci. (Philology)
Leading Research Fellow of the Research and Educational Centre for Humanitarian Urbanistics
Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University
41, Bolshaya Sankt-Peterburgskaya St.,
Veliky Novgorod, 173003, Russian Federation
ORCID: 0000-0001-7210-6726

Scopus AuthorID: 58821063200
e-mail: [email protected]

 

Yulia V. Merinova
Master’s student of the Research and Educational Centre for Humanitarian Urbanistics,
Manager of additional education department
Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University
41, Bolshaya Sankt-Peterburgskaya St.,
Veliky Novgorod, 173003, Russian Federation
ORCID: 0009-0002-0507-6656
e-mail: [email protected]

 

For citation:
Gepting, E. L., & Merinova, Yu. V. (2024). Soviet monumental mosaics of Veliky Novgorod as a part of the modern urban landscape. Urbis et Orbis. Microhistory and Semiotics of the City, 4(2), 242–253. https://doi.org/10.34680/urbis-2024-4(2)-242-253