RUCARR seminar: Jonna Aalva: "Military-Patriotic Education in Russia

Jonna Aalva: "Military-Patriotic Education in Russia: Legitimation, Gender and Power Relations"


Speaker

Jonna Alava is a Doctoral Researcher within the Doctoral Programme in Political, Soci¬etal and Regional Change at Helsinki University.

Abstract

The military-patriotic education of children and young people in Russia began during Vladimir Putin’s first presidential term in 2000. After the onset of the war against Ukraine, the education underwent a significant shift, expanding to encompass virtually every citizen. Today, it is one of the Kremlin’s top priorities, extending from kindergartens to universities. Propagandistic school curricula and numerous patriotic youth organizations aim to raise “warrior-citizens” loyal to the Kremlin, who perceive war as part of everyday life and are prepared to sacrifice themselves. Drawing on my doctoral dissertation, this lecture examines the legitimation, content, implementation, successes, failures, and resistance surrounding military-patriotic education, as well as the gender roles it constructs.