"OURS" AND "STRANGERS" ON THE PAGES OF THE PSKOV PROVINCIAL GAZETTE DURING THE RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR OF 1904–1905

Alieva Liudmila Vladimirovna, Garchu Nadezhda

The Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905 was a serious test for the Russian Empire, affecting virtually all segments of the population. The media, particularly regional publications, played a crucial role in mobilizing the masses for a "small victorious war," maintaining patriotic spirit, and shaping perceptions of the enemy. This article examines the representation of the enemy as "foreign" in the journalistic space of Pskov Province during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905, using materials from the newspaper "Pskovskie Gubernskie Vedomosti." Particular attention is paid to the language of publications, the specific perception of Japan and the Japanese army, and the influence of public opinion on the formation of patriotic consciousness among the region's residents. The article is based on materials from the regional press of the early 20th century. Addressing the problem of the representation of the enemy image in the pages of "Pskovskie Gubernskie Vedomosti" revealed that the publication in 1904–1905... It did not contain mass publications dedicated to the "enemy" and was not aimed at demonizing the Japanese. At the same time, leveraging the local press allowed for the creation of a persistent negative image of Japan as an aggressive state in the public consciousness of a region far removed from the theater of war, strengthening and securing popular support during the difficult trials of war.

Keywords:enemy image, international relations, information influence, public consciousness, Russian Empire, historical imagology, periodical press