Preservation of the traditional heritage of the peoples of the North Caucasus in the context of globalization: problems and challenges

The aim of the review is to identify the main threats to the spiritual and cultural heritage of the peoples of the North Caucasus that arise in the modern geopolitical reality as a consequence of increasing global trends (globalization, total digitalization, growing geopolitical tension, increased speed and weaker predictability of socio-economic processes, etc.). The conclusions are based on an analysis of the works of modern Russian cultural scientists, sociologists, political scientists, and historians, and are also supported by the experience accumulated by researchers of the North Caucasus during over more than two and a half centuries of its study. Methodological tools involve the use of a systematic approach and include comparative historical and chronological methods, the method of actualization and a set of methods used in sociological and political science research. The author determines the level of modern Caucasian studies as a scientific discipline, whose development reflects the degree of knowledge of the spiritual and cultural heritage of the North Caucasus; characterizes works of Russian classical literature, music, and fine arts, in which images associated with the culture and nature of the Caucasus were creatively developed; shows the close and inextricable relationship between Russian culture and the cultures of the peoples of the North Caucasus; and also identifies modern value-related threats to the traditional culture of the peoples of the region. The author pays special attention to the lack in science of development of the topic of preserving cultural heritage in the context of socio-political and other conflicts in the North Caucasus that occurred in post-Soviet times, and proposes to carry out a full-scale systematic research in order to preserve the memory of lost objects of historical and cultural value. The author identifies factors that determine the main risks to the spiritual and cultural heritage. Among such factors are threats caused by global geopolitical changes, acute inter-civilizational confrontation, conflicts, as well as untimely and insufficient efforts to identify and preserve spiritual and cultural heritage, and preserve the memory of lost objects of historical and cultural value. The author emphasizes that the response of Russian society to these challenges is the implementation of the state cultural policy for the preservation and popularization of objects of historical and cultural heritage, as well as work aimed at establishing a system of traditional spiritual values in society.