Introduction. The purpose of this study is to analyze N. Berdyaev’s views on the existence and development of elites in modern society. In examining the issue of the presence of cultural and political elites, Berdyaev specifically emphasized that the elitist nature of society is coming into increasing conflict with contemporary trends in social development. The emergence of mass culture and, more broadly, mass society, renders the existence of elites unnecessary and contrary to contemporary social processes. According to Berdyaev, this contradiction between democratic and elitist principles in culture and politics can be overcome only by a new spiritual (religious) revival, which will remove the limitations of cultural and political existence.
Materials and Methods. The historical method and the comparative analysis method are used; general theoretical methods of scientific research, as well as dialectical and structural-functional approaches, are applied.
Results. Berdyaev specifically emphasized that modern bourgeois liberal democracies, which are based on the principle of popular sovereignty, create new forms of human enslavement. In these societies, the formal principle of the arithmetic majority prevails, allowing the authorities to act on behalf of the people and making the social environment as a whole more just and uniform than it was before. However, this principle is implemented not by creating conditions for the spiritual enrichment and personal development of each individual, but by forcing everyone to conform to a single spiritual and social standard.
Discussion and Conclusion. A defining feature of the modern era is that the influence of the masses in history is no longer hidden but is taking on increasingly open and explicit forms, transforming the elitist nature of society into an increasingly unnatural and abnormal state. The masses are becoming increasingly active in politics. Liberal democracies, Berdyaev emphasized, are already becoming obsolete; this is a phase that has been left behind not only for Europe but for world history as a whole. All of the processes noted above in contemporary society, according to Berdyaev, lead to the conclusion that the era of cultural and political elites is coming to an end; the elitist nature of society is objectively becoming obsolete, and it has no future.

Introduction. For at least a millennium, the collective West has pursued a policy aimed at destroying or weakening the Slavic world. Thus, the roots of modern Western Russophobia run much deeper than the history of the Special Military Operation and the conflict in Ukraine. The purpose of this article is to conduct a systematic analysis and review of the presentations at the International Scientific and Practical Conference “The Russian World and Slavic Geopolitics”, held on April 23–24, 2026, in Rostov-on-Don.
Materials and Methods. The methodological foundation of the conference was the thesis regarding the need to break free from the West’s worldview and ideological narratives and to create our own system of ideological values and ways of life within the framework of the “Russia is a country-civilization” model (a thesis articulated by V.V. Putin), as well as the “Russian World” and “Slavic Geopolitics” as integration efforts among the Slavic peoples and a new direction for the Russian state’s political and diplomatic endeavors.
Results. A series of international conferences held over the past few years by a group of enthusiasts, scholars from Russia, Belarus, and other Slavic countries, raises the question of the West’s guilt toward the Slavic peoples, given its policy of genocide against the Slavs. The international conference “The Russian World and Slavic Geopolitics”, organized by the Autonomous Nonprofit Organization “Center ‘Europe’” with funding from the Fund for the Support and Protection of the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad, in close cooperation with relevant departments of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aims to unite the efforts of academic and university scholars, diplomats, representatives of Russia and other Slavic countries, as well as established and emerging researchers, in studying the nature of the Russian World and the Slavic peoples.
Discussion and Conclusion. During numerous discussions and informal conversations among conference participants, attention was drawn both to the exceptionally high academic standard of this scholarly forum and to the urgent need for further academic conferences devoted to issues related to the Russian World and Slavic geopolitics.

Introduction. The issue of the characteristics of an individual’s life perspectives in the contemporary sociocultural space is of great practical significance and relevance today. This is due to the role that life perspectives play in shaping and regulating an individual’s behavior and ensuring their successful adaptation. The aim of this study is to examine the characteristics of an individual’s life perspectives in the context of the contemporary sociocultural space. The objectives of the study are to elucidate the contemporary understanding of the phenomenon of an individual’s life perspectives and its manifestations in the context of the contemporary sociocultural space.
Materials and Methods. The research methodology was based on systemic and interdisciplinary approaches, drawing on anthropological principles and a sociocultural perspective. The study employed both quantitative methods (surveys, data analysis) and qualitative methods (interpretation). The empirical study was conducted using the following methods: the “Life Perspectives” questionnaire (T.N. Shcherbakova); and the Time Perspective Questionnaire (ZTPI) by P. Zimbardo and A. Gonzalez (adapted by E.T. Sokolova and O.V. Mitina).
Results. The study shows that more than half of the young male respondents and more than a third of the young female respondents do not directly associate their life prospects with self-improvement and self-development. Men tend to focus on building a career in the long term, while women are oriented toward starting a family. Factors have been identified that, in the respondents’ view, have a significant influence on the formation of life prospects in the contemporary sociocultural context.
Discussion and Conclusion. An individual’s life prospects and attitudes toward adapting to the demands of the future correlate with the content of young people’s perceptions regarding the role of a vision of the future in achieving success within the contemporary sociocultural context. In cases where an individual’s life prospects are insufficiently developed, passivity in achieving meaningful life goals and doubts about one’s capacity for transformative action may emerge, which poses a risk and hinders further positive functioning.

Introduction. In today’s world, on the one hand, a foreign language is traditionally viewed as a tool for communication. On the other hand, it has significant educational potential in the context of K-12 or higher education: it allows students not only to explore a different cultural worldview but also to gain a deeper understanding of their own. Despite the established focus on language skills, learning a foreign language can become a powerful sociocultural space for the formation of civic identity.
Materials and Methods. The following methods were used in conducting this study: case studies, project-based learning, work with authentic materials, discussion-based and game-based methods, and a local history approach.
Results. As a result of collecting and analyzing materials on the country’s heroic past, video and audio content, and local history resources (information about their hometown, village, local traditions, and famous compatriots), it is demonstrated how students can develop an understanding of the significance of belonging to a group of people, a specific country, and its history by describing various events in a foreign language within the framework of the foreign language course. Following the presentations of their papers and essays, students shared their own opinions regarding the assignments they had completed, as well as their perceptions of the contributions made by citizens and their own families to the country’s development.
Discussion and Conclusion. As a result of the activities conducted as part of the students’ patriotic education in their foreign language course, the students actively engaged in studying historical events, gained a deeper appreciation for the contributions of their ancestors, and learned how heroes distinguished themselves and what contributions they made to the nation’s development. Through this exchange of information, not only did the students’ vocabulary and lexicalgrammatical skills expand, but so did their worldview regarding the cultural and human values of their homeland. The practical significance of this article lies in the fact that its content and conclusions can be directly applied in the work of teachers, instructors, and educational researchers.

Introduction. The contemporary information society requires the development of critical thinking, self-control, and value orientations. It is relevant to consider issues concerning the influence of technological factors, in particular social networks and media, on the formation of adolescents’ identity and self-awareness. The purpose of this study is to examine theoretical approaches and aspects of the influence of social networks on adolescents’ self-esteem and self-identification during their development in the context of Azerbaijan’s contemporary digital environment, as well as to propose significant directions for future empirical and theoretical research.
Materials and Methods. The study is based on a combination of methods. Psychometric instruments, surveys, and content analysis are used for a comprehensive examination of the phenomena under study. Comparative analysis is applied, while the methodological basis is a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach that makes it possible to formulate fundamental and promising directions for research in this field.
Results. Based on an analysis of publications by international and Azerbaijani authors, the following conclusions were drawn: social networks have both positive effects (communication, learning, development of digital skills) and negative effects (cyber risks, anxiety, information overload); the level of adolescents’ digital literacy is one of the main factors in the safe use of social networks, while parental control and family digital culture significantly influence the nature of Internet use. The most promising research directions are identified; these are simultaneously of high social significance for the Republic of Azerbaijan but remain insufficiently studied using local data.
Discussion and Conclusion. Contemporary researchers place the main emphasis not so much on limiting the amount of time spent using the Internet as on creating a safe digital environment, developing adolescents’ digital literacy, preventing cyberbullying, and strengthening psychological support in Azerbaijani schools. This article lays the foundation for future research and emphasizes the importance of greater involvement by the state, parents, and educational institutions in supporting adolescents on their path toward becoming healthy, self-confident adults.

Introduction. The subject of this study is the notion, which took shape in Russian religious philosophy of the 19^th–21^st centuries, of the decline of spirituality as a “spiritual illness” of society. In conducting this research, the authors draw not only on the works of Russian thinkers of the past but also analyze the writings of contemporary religious thinkers: P.P. Kalinovsky, V.A. Elfimov, and others. Several research objectives are addressed, including: identifying, in the works of Russian philosophers of the 19^th–21^st centuries, the causes of the decline of spirituality in society; analyzing the possible consequences of this “spiritual illness”; and describing initiatives aimed at the spiritual revitalization of society.
Materials and Methods. The descriptive, historical, and comparative methods are employed as research methods. To demonstrate a positive view of the role and significance of illness in Christian doctrine, the authors analyze and synthesize references to attitudes toward this phenomenon found in the writings of Russian religious philosophers, utilizing the dialectical method.
Results. Drawing on the works of Russian religious thinkers who regarded the decline of spirituality as a “spiritual illness” of society, the authors identify the following as the main causes of this decline: the secularization of culture, weak willpower, susceptibility to vices, and the indifference of the majority of society toward the immoral behavior of its individual members. The authors list the possible consequences of the decline in spirituality, including the loss of the meaning of life, creative energy, and vitality. They cite concepts of the spiritual revitalization of society developed by Russian thinkers such as V.S. Solovyov, S.L. Frank, V.A. Yelfimov, and P.P. Kalinovsky.
Discussion and Conclusion. In addition to the domestic philosophical heritage, the authors cite Western concepts by S. Freud, E. Fromm, K. Jaspers, and M. Unamuno, which view the “decline of spirituality” as a kind of “spiritual illness” of society. The authors conclude that there are differences between foreign and Russian thinkers in their explanations of the causes of this phenomenon. As a result of this scholarly inquiry, practical advice is offered on the spiritual healing of society, the essence of which lies in a return to religious faith and the observance of such fundamental principles of secular ethics as humanism and the rejection of selfishness.

Introduction. With the establishment of Soviet power, a number of restrictions on sectarian communities were lifted. Although the Bolsheviks did not share the sectarians’ beliefs, the Soviet authorities nevertheless maintained a neutral stance toward them until the late 1920s, refraining from subjecting them to political repression. This led to an increase in the number of sects and their followers. The sectarian movement of the 1920s reached its peak in the Salsky District. It was here that V.S. Lubkov, the leader of the “New Israel” sect, established a collective farm in an attempt to adapt to the new political system.
Materials and Methods. Documents and materials held at the Rostov Region Center for Documentation of Contemporary History, which contain information on the structure and activities of the “New Israel” sect in the Salsky District of the North Caucasus Region, have been identified, analyzed, and utilized. The following research methods were applied: descriptive, historical-genetic, and historical-systemic.
Results. Upon returning with his followers from Uruguay to the USSR, Lubkov founded a settlement in the form of a cooperative association in the Salsky District. Despite the ideals of equality and brotherhood promoted by the sect, a regime of Lubkov’s personal authority was established within the settlement, and he used this power for his own personal enrichment while leading a dissolute lifestyle. In addition, the sect’s leadership violated the principle of social justice, which led to conflicts between privileged and rank-and-file members of the movement.
Discussion and Conclusion. The fact that V.S. Lubkov established a collective farm indicates that the sect members attempted to use communist rhetoric to adapt to the existing realities. Later, the Bolsheviks realized that Lubkov did not share communist ideology. The “New Israel” community was an example of a movement in which the leader and his inner circle abused their authority and used their power for personal enrichment, leading to inequality among the community members. It was precisely this circumstance that led to the movement’s collapse.

Introduction. This publication examines the role of the Soviet press as one of the key instruments of social engineering aimed at creating a generation of “new people” in the USSR: builders of socialism and adherents of the communist ideal. The scientific and theoretical relevance of this issue stems from the insufficient (and, often, biased and politicized) coverage of it in the literature. This topic also has practical significance, as the experience accumulated in the USSR regarding the patriotic education of younger generations remains relevant today. The aim of this study is to examine the characteristics of the “new man” that took shape in the USSR in the 1930s and to analyze the methods used by the editorial boards of Soviet periodicals to promote his creation.
Materials and Methods. This article is based on materials from the Azov-Black Sea Region, which, due to the presence of large communities of Don and Kuban Cossacks, is of particular interest in the study of the directions and methods of Soviet social engineering. Periodicals from the 1930s form the core of the source base, while the primary research methods employed are the comparative-historical and historical-genetic approaches.
Results. It has been established that the press was actively used in the USSR to shape a positive image of shock workers, Stakhanovites, and other members of the “Soviet elite” in the public consciousness. To this end, periodicals published photographs of these “notable individuals” along with stories about them and their achievements.
Discussion and Conclusion. The stereotypical image of a “hero” included such traits as belonging to a specific socioprofessional group (collective farmers, workers, etc.), democratic values, loyalty to the Soviet government, and so on. The press in the Azov-Black Sea region, like that throughout the USSR, used these clichés when creating images of “notable people”. The press’s efforts bore fruit, as evidenced in part by the development of the Stakhanovite movement in the USSR.

Introduction. This article examines the prospects for using the author’s methodology for assessing the potential for incorporating archaeological sites into tourism activities. The methodology presented here is based on ideas found in scholarly publications by Russian and foreign authors on assessing the condition of archaeological sites, the tourism and recreational potential of a given area, and the development of archaeological tourism.
Materials and Methods. Archaeological sites in the municipal districts of the Rostov Region were evaluated based on five criteria: transportation accessibility, infrastructure availability, hosting of events, availability of guided tours, and public engagement. The evaluation criteria were developed based on the potential recreational qualities of the archaeological sites, the realization of which could, in the future, contribute to their inclusion in tourist itineraries. The study employs general theoretical methods and approaches: synthesis, analysis, modeling, as well as dialectical and comparativehistorical approaches.
Results. Based on the derived comprehensive assessment, patterns of territorial differentiation of archaeological resources in the Rostov Region were identified for each district. It was found that the administrative districts located in the southwest of the Rostov Region have the greatest potential, due to the traditionally high level of economic development in this area, its dense population, and, consequently, its well-developed infrastructure. At the same time, an overall decline in the assessment was observed along the “center-periphery” axis.
Discussion and Conclusion. The study proposes the development of archaeological tourism routes throughout the Rostov Region based on the results of the methodology employed, and outlines measures to help regions with low ratings reach the level required for the inclusion of local archaeological sites in the tourism industry. The study also highlighted the geographical proximity of the highest-rated archaeological sites to tourism infrastructure, such as major transportation routes, lodging facilities, and other amenities. The results of the assessment served as the foundation for proposing potential archaeology-themed tourist routes throughout the Rostov Region, which were also identified in the study. The versatility of the presented methodology makes it possible to anticipate its application in other regions of the Russian Federation.

Introduction. The relevance of this study stems from the need to make sense of the technological revolution in the performing arts. The integration of multimedia technologies is radically transforming the processes of theatrical design, expanding the expressive possibilities of directing and set design, and shaping a new type of immersive and interactive audience experience. Studying the specific characteristics, directions of development, and practical examples of this synthesis is essential for a theoretical understanding of the evolution of theater and for developing practical strategies for its development in the digital age. The aim of this study is to identify the specific characteristics of multimedia theater and possible directions for its development. Attention is paid to the impact of the trend toward digitalization on the process of creating theatrical productions and other projects, as well as on the field of contemporary theater as a whole.
Materials and Methods. The following materials and methods were used in the preparation and writing of this article: case studies (using projects such as “Antigravity”, “Symphony of Innovations”, “Oracle”, and others), comparative analysis of historical and contemporary practices, a historical-cultural approach to tracing the evolution of technologies, as well as SWOT analysis for a systematic assessment of the effectiveness and prospects for the application of multimedia technologies in theater.
Results have shown that the integration of multimedia technologies (such as VR, AR, video mapping, 3D graphics, etc.) significantly expands the creative possibilities of theatrical productions and enhances the level of immersion. It has been established that a key trend is the creation of interdisciplinary projects that synthesize theater, circus, dance, and digital arts. A SWOT analysis identified the technology’s strengths (high immersion, new forms of interaction, audience expansion) and opportunities (attracting investors, collaboration with other industries), as well as its weaknesses (high cost, need for specialized experts) and threats (technical risks, competition).
Discussion and Conclusion. The analysis conducted leads to the conclusion that multimedia technologies are becoming an integral part of contemporary theater, meeting the audience’s demand for interactivity and a unique viewing experience. Despite the existing risks and high costs, the potential for their application is enormous. The development of multimedia theater requires not only technological investments but also the training of new personnel, as well as a rethinking of traditional approaches to set design and dramaturgy. The SWOT analysis conducted here can be used by cultural project managers to assess the feasibility of implementing such solutions.