Authors

Nelly Manucharyan¹;  ¹ Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of National Academy of Sciences, Armenia

Discussion

This paper examines the impact of the Russian Revolution's legacy on street renaming practices in Soviet Armenia, focusing on their role in shaping national identity and collective memory in Yerevan. It explores how revolutionary ideals such as anti-imperialism and secularism were symbolically embedded in urban toponymy, reflecting broader ideological shifts. By analyzing specific name changes and their socio-political contexts, the paper highlights how these practices contributed to the creation of a distinct Soviet Armenian identity within the urban landscape. Grounded in theories of social memory and spatial politics, and utilizing an interdisciplinary approach drawing from urban studies, political science, and cultural geography, this study interprets street names as symbols deeply intertwined with social, cultural, and political processes. The research demonstrates how the Soviet regime strategically renamed streets to assert control, disseminate propaganda, and reshape the city’s identity in line with socialist values.