The Cultural Code of a Small Town in the Context of Transformations of Modern Society (Based on Materials from the City of Tara in the Omsk Region)

The relevance of this study stems from the state and public interest in the history and culture of small towns, a distinct type of settlement that combines urban and rural features. The aim of this publication is to identify changes in the cultural code of small towns in the context of modern society. In analyzing the structure of Tara’s cultural code, the author focuses on elements that help emphasize the city’s identity and distinguish it from other small towns not only in Russia but also in the Omsk region. The work devotes special attention to the factors that shape the city’s cultural space and its cultural code. The author identifies objective (historical characteristics of the territory, climate and geographical location, demographic characteristics of the territory, specifics of economic development) and subjective factors, the main one of which is the involvement of residents in the formation of the cultural space and image of the city. The study concluded that the influence of a complex of factors on the formation of the cultural code of the territory results in the image of Tara as a provincial merchant city.