Researchers from the Institute of Linguistics, Literature and History (ILLH) KarRC RAS Sergey Minvaleev and Alexander Krivonozhenko took part in the conference. They presented the results of their research, including field surveys, regarding the documentation and conservation of the linguistic, ethnological, and historical heritage of the peoples of Karelia.
Sergey Minvaleev, Researcher at the Institute's Ethnology Section discussed the position held by Ludic Karelians in the system of ethnocultural contacts in the Western Lake Onego area. Ludic Karelians live in the Kondopoga and Prionezhsky Districts, as well as in the eastern parts of the Pryazha and Olonets Districts. The researcher describes this area as a unique ethnocultural frontier where Slavic, Finno-Ugric, and ancient Sámi components have interacted for centuries. Ludics have in a way acted as cultural mediators between different ethnic groups of Russians, Karelians, and Veps.
Sergey Minvaleev, Researcher at Ethnology Section ILLH KarRC RAS
– The Ludic population is currently estimated at 4,000–5,000, but the number of active speakers of the Ludic language variant is critically low. According to Finnish researchers, there were approximately 150 Ludic speakers in 2020. Based on my own field experience, this number is three times smaller, placing the language in the severely endangered category, – said Sergei Minvaleev.
The Ludic supradialect of Karelian is subdivided into dialects and subdialects. While on one hand Ludic subdialects have influenced the neighboring Karelian supradialects, they have, on the other hand, themselves been significantly influenced by the Karelian Proper and Livvi dialects. The ethnologist shared his field observations from peripheral settlements exhibiting transitional Ludic-Livvi and Karelian Proper features. For example, in the villages of Nyolgomozero and Vohtozero, located west of the northern Ludic area, Karelians identify their language as being closer to Livvi, distinct from the language of the neighboring Spasskaya Guba, although they note that they speak a variant "intermediate" between Livvi and Ludic. Locals call themselves Karelians, yet say «Minä pagizen livvikse» («I speak Livvi»).
Conference participants
Another example of mutual ethnocultural influence is the Ludic wedding and funeral rite system. Having absorbed elements from various traditions, it was itself a source of borrowings for the Veps and Russian population. For example, Veps and Zaonezhians have supposedly adopted from Ludics the use of a "magic" staff during matchmaking and weddings, the practice of offering the mother-in-law a separate steam bath after the wedding, the ritual of draping fabric over graves, and the installation of grave boards (kalmalaudat).
– These and other processes have not only shaped the unique cultural identity of Ludics themselves, but have had a notable impact on the ethnocultural development of the region in general, – summarized Sergey Minvaleev.
Head of the History Section at ILLH KarRC RAS Alexander Krivonozhenko related the results of the study of peasant mills and their mass communication within the project «Watermill – A Symbol of the Karelian Countryside» (2024–2025).
Kizhi Museum Deputy Director Margarita Kisternaya and Head of History Section ILLH KarRC RAS Alexander Krivonozhenko
The scientist has located and surveyed a couple dozen mill sites in Karelian woods, studied the holdings of the Republic of Karelia National Archives, libraries of Petrozavodsk and Vologda, and visited the preserved and restored mills in the Kizhi and Semyonkovo (Vologda Region) museums, and in the Kenozero National Park (Arkhangelsk Region). The outcome of this work was the creation of a mockup of a watermill that once stood near the village of Kyappeselga. The model not only recreates the appearance of the mill and the surrounding landscape but also replicates the operation of its mechanism. Historical technologies and materials were used in its construction. For example, in addition to wood, granite from a Karelian deposit was used for the millstones.
– Despite extensive preparations, the process of building the model revealed gaps in our theoretical knowledge. Some details made of metal have been found at the surveyed mill debris, which we failed to identify. To understand the specialized terminology, we had to consult pre-revolutionary literature and ethnographic sources. Some of the engineering solutions for making certain parts of the mechanism began to make sense only in actual the construction process, – said Alexander Krivonozhenko.
The in-landscape architectural model was constructed by Vladimir Karpin, Researcher at the Forest Research Institute KarRC RAS. A replica of the granite millstones was crafted by Yuri Smirnov, Researcher at the Institute of Geology KarRC RAS.
Alexander Krivonozhenko, Head of History Section ILLH KarRC RAS
The results of the work were presented at the exhibition "Watermill – A Symbol of the Karelian Countryside" at the Kondopoga Local Museum. During its operation from May through September, it attracted 3,085 visitors. After the temporary exhibition had been closed, the mockup mill became part of the museum's permanent display, and the fragments of historical mills discovered during expeditions and donated to the museum were entered into the State Catalogue of Museum Holdings of the Russian Federation.
– The main outcome of our efforts to popularize the topic of mills has been the feedback we received from residents of Karelia and beyond. People share information about mill sites they know of, share their memories, ask for consultations about sites in their own communities, and even suggest that we jointly restore a mill. All of it proves that, despite its narrow thematic, chronological, and local focus, the subject is of interest to the public, who are seeking to broaden their knowledge about their native land or family history, – summarized Alexander Krivonozhenko.
Both researchers continue their studies into the topics they presented, and the results will be published in scientific outlets.
Photos: Igor Georgievsky, Ekaterina Rychkova