The customs and traditions of St. Peter's Day of the old-settlers and south Russian migrants in the Altai region in the 20th-21st centuries (based on materials from 2013-2022 ethnographic expeditions)

In the course of ethnographic expeditions in 2013-2022, a significant amount of field materials were collected illustrating the specifics of the traditions and customs observed on St. Peter ’s Day by the descendants of the old-settlers and South Russian migrants in the Altai. The author discusses such traditions as the start of picking berries and medicinal herbs on July 12, start of haymaking in the early morning of St. Peter ’s Day, as well as holiday traditions associated with the start of haymaking among old-settlers and Kursk migrants, the custom of cooking the red beet soup “borsch” from the new harvest and dumplings stuffed with berries and potato of Ukrainian and South Russian migrants in the Altai. It was noted that the customs and traditions of St. Peter s Day underwent certain changes in the 20th century; shifts were traced in the timing of the beginning and end of haymaking and the timing of picking berries in various parts ofthe region. It is proved that the traditions of St. Peter’s Day are still observed among the senior citizens due to traditional continuity, which indicates the preservation of ethno-cultural identity at the personal and family level. Conservation and maintaining personal ethno-cultural identity through the preservation of holiday traditions are important nowadays in connection with the phenomenon of neotraditionalism, when traditions are revived in various forms in modern society. The author introduces into scientific circulation interviews with citizens of the Altai region, materials from the personal archive of A.V. Golovin, photographic materials from the regional archive, and materials from regional periodicals. The topic is considered at the regional level (district, village) for the first time.