Abstract: Based on the example of several amateur theaters in Vladivostok, the author of the article analyzes their social mission. The author focuses on teh role and benefits of an amateur theatre. Based on the appointed criteria, the author provides an insight into each amateur theatre (director, repertory, number and age of actors, touring, commercial and charity activity, etc.). Based on the results of this analysis, the author defines positive sides of amateur theatre as well as the main challenges that an amateur theatre usually faces. This includes the following: 1. No physical infrastructure. 2. No premises of their own. 3. No touring activity. The research methods used by the author include observation, description and comparison of contemporary amateur theatres in Vladivostok. The author of the article has discovered 40 amateur theatre associations and about 10 amateur theatres in Vladivostok. Karpechenko pays special attention to the activity of an amateur theatre association aimed at overall socialization of a human into a society. As a result of the analysis, the author emphasizes the need to support amateur theatres by state and municipal authorities.   

Keywords: socialization, repertoire, creative work, dramatic art, children's theater, drama school, amateur theater, charity, leisure, collective

Abstract: In her research Yureneva analyzes the abundance of museums in Russia and European countries as well as attendance of Russian and European museums. Within the framework of this article, the object of the research is the museums of Russia and Europe and the subject of the research is their quantitative measurement, i.e. the number of museums and the number of attendances. Unbiased information about the development of Russian museum not only at the national level but also in comparison to other countries is important for strategic targetting and developing the cultural policy. The empirical basis of the research implies data of the Russian Federal State Statistics Service and European Group for Museum Statistics. Statistical informatin is analyzed using the tabular method and graphic presentation. The novelty of the research is caused by the fact that for the first time in the academic literature data about Russian museums is presented in comparison with European statistical values. Statistics in Russia and the majority of European countries have been collected on the basis of very different definitions, methods and classifications, thus data presented in tables and graphs are of preliminary nature. To develop the strategy of museum development in Russia it is necessary to carry out a full-scale record of all existing museums disregardidng their departmental affiliation, ownership and status of a legal entity. 

Keywords: sociology of culture, social statistics, cultural statistics, Russian museum statistics, European museum statistics, museum statistics, visits to museums, number of museums, museum, cultural policy

Abstract: The subject of the research is sumo as a traditional Japanese wrestling that has the status of a national sport in Japan. The rationale of the research is caused by both the fact that there are not so many researches devoted to the topic, and a growing interest in Japanese culture which developed peculiar national traditions and protects them with special care. The aim of the research is to define typical features, the place and role of sumo in the socio-cultural life of a Japanese society. In her research Izotova describes the main stages of sumo developing and factors that have been influencing it. The researcher pays special attention to the description of ethnocultural peculiarities of wrestling rituals and ceremonies. The methodological basis of the research implies the interdisciplinary and integrative approaches. To analyze and interpret data, the author has used the method of structured description allowing to trace back the evolution of the wrestling in a diachronic aspect. The results of the analysis demonstrate that being an essential part of culture, sumo presents special cultural codes and develop its own semiotic system of mental senses, archetypes and relations that reflect the nature of Japanese people's values. The milestones of the development of sumo are closely related to social relations at different stages of historical development. Being created as a religious ritual, sumo has turned into a professional sport that is popular not only in Japan but also abroad. The  novelty of the research is caused by the fact that the author defines a regulatory function of sumo. The semantics of combats have preserved the mythopoetical content and have remained the same since the epoch of Edo. Rigid rituals and ceremonies that are rooted in shinto philosophy are transfered through generations and stimulate moral behavior of modern Japanese, contribute to the preservation and transmission of traditional cultural values. 

Keywords: dignity, culture, shinto, yokozuna, ring dohyo, ceremony, ritual, Japan, sumo, wrestling

Abstract: The subject of the research is the concept of 'spatial thinking' in philosophical, literary creative work and painting of Nicolas Roerich. Gerasimova studies the symbols of 'spatial thinking' in Roerich' creative work from the point of view of Roerich' philosophical theories and Living Ethics. The researcher carries out a comparative analysis of Living Ethics texts to the philosophical teachings of the West, East and Russia. She analyzes particularities of the spatial thinking as an overall cultural worldview universal. The researcher pays attention to the levels of thinking in the creative process. She discusses the importance of Roerich' ideas about spiritual values. To analyze the style of creative work of Nicolas Roerich, the author has used the interdisciplinary approach. The contents of Roerich' paintings that present symbols of the spatial thinking are analyzed by the author of the article from the point of view of the artist's philosophical views. The author of the article bases her analysis on cultural research of symbolism and historicians' studies. Nicolas Roerich' literary style can be described as cosmic realism. Cosmic realism orients human's creativity at establishing the connection to spiritual anthroposphere. Connecting eras and cultures, Nicolas Roerich' synthesis of thinking looked into the future and implementation of the ideal of culture as the life of spirit on Earth. Roerich' creative work is inseparable from his philosophical theories and Living Ethics. The idea of the spatial thinking in Roerich' philosophy is compliant with the spiritual teachings of the West, East and Russia and presented by the symbols of neolithic era and folklore. Philosophical ideas and creative work of Nicolas Roerich make a contribution to the concept of human evolution, nature of psyche, future of culture and importance of global cooperation. These ideas are growing especially important in a modern society of global communications. 

Keywords: common good, symbolism, cosmic realism, spatial thinking, culture, gnoseology, Living Ethics, aesthetics, history of philosophy, Nicolas Roerich

Abstract: The article is devoted to the story "the Oven" and PhD thesis "Pantomime in the education of the actor" by Russian writer, Director and researcher pantomime E. V. Kharitonov (1941-1981). Kharitonov was one of the first writers of the Soviet period, who made the Central theme of his work homosexual desire. Appeal to this problem did Kharitonov unprintable by the author and introduced in the broader context of the non-censored Soviet literature, the study of which is today an important issue both for literature and for philosophy,and cultural studies. The subject of the article is a gesture that arises from Kharitonov not only as themes but also as a specific means of expression (ellipsis) in order to retain in the text displaced "forbidden" content. Like, "two-dimensional" perception of the novel allows us to conclude that her perception is irrelevant to the usual procedures of interpretation of texts, based on mimesisThe study is based on analysis of the syntactic structures of the novel and interpreting the gesture using the methodology developed by J. Telecom based on the semiotics of C. S. Pierce.

Keywords: Gilles Deleuze, homosexuality, Judith Batler, Yevgeny Kharitonov, gender, pantomime, gesture, literature, ellipse, subject

Abstract: In her research Tretyakova compares two similar yet different aesthetic categories that have got widespread use in the culture of consumption: Western brave Glamour and Japanese grotesque Kawaii. The aim of the research is to outline differences in these categories that are caused by their regional specifics. Such comparative analysis allows to define national specifics of Russian design in terms of the culture of consumption. Aesthetics of both Glamour and Kawaii have got an advertising component: glamour is a simulacrum of beauty that presents the charm of luxury, ideal appearance, and success, and contemporary Kawaii is a simulacrum of 'cuteness' that presents the charm of love and tenderness and imperfect or immature beauty. Both aesthetics have similar functions in contemporary culture of consumption as the basis of advertising myths about attractiveness. While glamourization is more typical for the West, Japan is more appealing to Kawaii. This is caused by cross-cultural differences. The research is based on the analysis of a famous essay In Praise of Shadows written by a Japanese writer Jun'ichiro Tanizaki (1886–1965) in 1934 where he called Western aesthetics as 'aesthetics of light' and Japanese aesthetics as 'aesthetics of shadow'. Using shine and brilliance as the most important expressive means, glamour presents the Western 'aesthetics of light'. Contemporary aesthetics of Kawaii relates to the traditional Japanese 'aesthetics of shadow' and, first of all, to the category of iki that unites a challenge and submission, luxury and mildness. In aesthetics of Kawaii sumbission presents child-like proportions, faintness and etc. which can verge on challenge. 

Keywords: Aesthetics of Light, consamption, regional design, Jun'ichiro Tanizaki, identity, kawaii, glamour, Aesthetics of Shadow, Japanese Aesthetics, Beauty

Abstract: The subject of the research is the modern trends in studying portrait painting of the XVIIIth century against the background of a lengthy history of Russian science on Russian culture of the aforesaid period. The object of the research is numerous monographies that relate to different branches of humanities: art history, history of philosophy, semiotics, aesthetics and anthropology, that allow both to present particular researches of portrait art in terms of interdisciplinary studies but also to demonstrate the variety of methods used in such researches. Application of the comparative historical method and particular analysis of historiography allows to define the main stages of Russian art history research as well as to define key approaches and issues outlined by scientists of different generations. In-depth analysis of monographies allows to make a conclusion about the succession of research topics in art history and philosophy as a result of a special interest towards the role and feeling of human within culture. The scientific novelty of the research is caused by the fact that the author discovers favorable interaction between philosophy of art and history of art in terms of the anthropological problem at the present stage. This contributes to the extension of the methodological framework in researches of the portrait painting of the XVIIIth century and becomes a promising perspective for future researches. 

Keywords: anthropology, esthetics, philosophy, XVIII century, Russian art, methodology, portrait, historiography, semiotics, culture

Abstract: In this article Rozin discusses the perception of life in modern culture. The question was first raised by the author in his article about death and resonse of L. Golubkova to that article. The results of the research demonstrate that this is a typical question for an individual. Ancient Greeks already related their concept of death to the concept of 'the right life', i.e. consciouss and unselfish existence. In addition, the author analyzes modern conditions and cultural environment that demand the question about human life to be asked in a different way. Based on his own experience, the author outlines his own version of the question. In his research Rozin has used the following research methods: problem statement, situation analysis, culture-historical comparison, construction of terms and schemes, and reinforcement of general provisions with historical examples. As a result of the research, the author has managed to define conceptual and socio-cultural conditions that allow to perceive life in our times (the concept of the right life, striving towards consciouss behavior and reduction of egoism, etc.). The other outcome of the research is the discourse that was developed by the author to discuss the topic of the research. 

Keywords: reality, norm, culture, individual, personality, thought, life, death, problem, solution