historical myth

The problem of correlation between historical science and State power, between historical fact and historical myth, is analysed in the article on the investigation example of nonsimple ethno-political situation in Northern Caucasus during the Great Patriotic War. The possibility of consigning to oblivion “annoying” historical facts for the sake of momentary political benefit is rejected. The point of the necessity of the synergetic approach to an analysis of any historical phenomena is proved in the article.

The article is devoted to the reflection in historical memory of the introduction of shaving and wearing «German» dresses by Peter I. This measure was aimed at overcoming religious prejudices and instilling a European way of life. It is fixed in the cultural memory of the post-Petrine era as a metaphor for the rebirth of Russia and the image of «Europeanization». Historians, publicists, and writers in their writings combined it with the metaphor «window to Europe» and constructed the image of Peter I, who cuts beards with an axe.