Immaterial Heritage and Identity of Youth of St. Petersburg

Abstract

This article presents some results and reflections of the current study of the intangible cultural heritage of St. Petersburg, including the definition of the intangible characteristics of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “The Historical Center of St. Petersburg and related group of monuments” (hereinafter - World Heritage Site). The concept of the “intangible heritage” is defined and its role in the formation of the city’s identity of St. Petersburg youth is indicated. Practices and values of the regional identity of the young generation are revealed. The work used sociological both quantitative and qualitative methods: Internet survey, analysis of documents, interviews and examinations of young people’ self-perception, self-identity and their awareness of the city. The answers were analyzed by the authors from the standpoints of the individual habits of the city’s residents, as well as professionals from related fields of knowledge (architecture, cultural studies, philology, psychology, sociology, jurisprudence) involved in urban projects to popularize the city’s cultural heritage.