Anniversary Celebrations in Honor of the 300th Anniversary Romanov Dynasty in the Don Cossack Region

Abstract. 1913 in the Russian history was marked by one of the most ambitious celebrations of the Russian Empire – the three hundredth anniversary of the Romanov dynasty. The Don Cossacks were the active participants in the events that preceded the accession of the dynasty, so their region could not celebrate the anniversary simply and unremarkable. The article discusses the organization of the Romanov celebrations in the Don Cossack Oblast, describes events in cities and other settlements. The physical involvement of the population in all events and the presence of traditional features in the official agenda are also assessed. The sources are new archival materials and the regional periodicals. The festivities were bright and splendid, cities took on a festive look, shops and factories stopped working, and students prepared for readings, at which there was explaination of the significance of such an exceptional event as the upcoming anniversary. Preparations for the anniversary were combined with an informational accompaniment by the regional periodicals, which described the role of the Cossacks in the history of the dynasty. The local administration tried to convince the central authorities that they and the population of the region “regardless of nationality, naturally belong to the right-wing element of the state”. At the same time curiosity, rather than patriotic feelings, was the driving force of the people who gathered in droves for the anniversary events.

Keywords: Romanov dynasty, Don Cossack Region, 300th anniversary of Romanov dynasty, Don Cossacks, commemorative practices.