The interaction between capital and regional elites in the context of the cultural space development of a provincial city at the turn of the 19th - 20th centuries

The study deals with the cultural space development in a provincial city in the context of modernization changes in the early 20th century dominated by the growth of social engagement in both provincial and capital societies. The cultural elite of the province, striving to qualitatively change the life of its native city and correspond to the capital trends and development level, expressed the innovative ideas and new trends. The cultural environment of small towns had been established with the help of outstanding Russian artists; their creative works and active citizenship set an example for the regional cultural elite. The interaction of elites in urban culture was reflected in various fields of activity from the artistic up to the cultural and educational ones. This process was uneven in the South Ural settlements and often dependent on objective circumstances.