“After 25 years, “Russia” shouldn’t be a shorthand for 15 independent states and handful of self-declared ones”. A map of the post-Soviet states (marked “Russia”) in a Novosibirsk university, 2017. Photo (c): Aleksandr Khryazhev / RIA Novosti. All rights reserved.Since its inception in 2008, openDemocracy’s Russia section has sought to create a space for activists, journalists and researchers to speak to a broader audience. This project was initially focused on Russia, but increasingly encompassed the post-Soviet world as a whole, and the section’s evolving title — from openDemocracy Russia to simply oDR — and strapline (“Russia and beyond”) has reflected this shift, albeit imperfectly.
As our section’s focus has expanded and deepened in the past two years, particularly with regards to Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, the name feels increasingly out of step with our broadening interests. Perhaps, under the oDR brand, the ghost of “Russia” (and the imperial assumptions associated with it) is never far away. Instead, we want to find a name that reflects our focus on marginalised subjects and points of view, as well as the interconnected nature of the region’s culture, economy and politics, just without a chauvinist hangover.
We’re considering a new title for our section of openDemocracy — one that speaks to our concerns and for our contributors. Before we do that, we’d like to air some thoughts on the old name, and some hopes for the new. Join in with your own suggestions!
