Authors

Gulnara Atnasheva²; Vadim Atnashev¹;  ¹ University of Exeter, UK;  ² St. Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design, Russian Federation

Discussion

The article examines historical and ethnic connections of Tatars in Baltic region. As a result of political and social situation in their home country migration of Tatars was a continuous process. It started in the 13th century and is still in progress considering current situation in Russia. The survey, rear for the Russian science of today, shows that the path to well-being of Tatars in Baltic region was not very easy. For many centuries Muslim Tatars were inseparable part of the ethnic mosaic of the Baltic region. By overcoming difficulties Lithuanian, Polish and Estonian Tatars managed to succeed in organizing their own communities and diasporas and their Muslim organisations. It is worth mentioning that Tatars were pioneers of Muslim presence in the area. The authors argue that Baltic Tatars at the time when they were assimilated linguistically and switched to Estonian, Polish and later Lithuanian languages, still treasured Islam, with religion being the most prominent feature of distinction for all of them. It plays an integral part in preserving the national and cultural image, the lifestyle of immigrants in a host society and a local culture. Additionally, the article addresses the political factor, highlighting the stricter assimilationism and the use of the Tatar nation as a diplomatic instrument by the Russian state, particularly after 2014.