Museums as translators of folk culture traditions (based on research of Mordovians from Vladimir and Moscow regions, Moscow city)

A liberal education includes an ethnocultural component, characterised by an introduction to the educational process the knowledge of traditional culture in order to foster friendly relations with people of different nationalities. This is the greatest achievement of museums created in schools, libraries, homes, etc. The paper attempts to present materials on studying Mordovian diaspora and the role of museums in the ethno-cultural upbringing based on the results of ethnographic expeditions 2011—2012 in the Vladimir region, Moscow city and Moscow region. During ethnographic expeditions various museums (regional, rural, high school, etc.) were visited in order to collect ethnographic material and identify the role of museums in the ethnic and cultural education, in the study of the traditional culture of ethnic groups, in particular Mordovian diaspora, living in the area under study. Pursuing the above goals, the author studied information stored in the museums on the history of migration, immigrants, statistics, artifacts on the material and spiritual culture, etc. The article focuses on the author's museums that are rich in collections of clothing, utensils, written information (documents, manuscripts and printed sources, etc.), photographs, etc. and have great educational value for the younger generation by strengthening love to the past of their ancestors. The article specifies that the materials from museums of Vladimir, Moscow region and Moscow are justified and valid sources for the study of the past, characteristics of the traditional culture and modern trends of social development of the Mordovian people living in these areas. Museums activities are not only in revealing the history and current situation of Mordovians in these areas, but also in safeguarding and developing traditional, cultural and historical values, customs, and in arousing interest to their good origins. The article underscores the necessity for popularising the research work of museums and libraries in these regions that contribute to the ethnocultural education of students and a wider audience.