The phenomenon of symbolic dialogue in politics: conditions of opportunity and Russian practices

Abstract

Building on the Lotman's concept of dialogue as semiotic phenomenon, the author focuses on the dialogue between the symbolic texts of political rituals. The paper discusses the features of ritual symbols which make it possible to reach a specific mental consensus on level of a purely symbolic interaction. Further, the author speculates about reaching such a consensus as the effect of the dialogue of symbols in the national holidays. The article examines the potential, the facilities and the evolution of symbolic dialogue in the framework of the celebration of Victory Day in post-Soviet Russia.