Mummery in the Modern Media Space: Transformation of Tradition and Ideological Conflict

Russian ceremonial mummery is an archaic tradition, the study of which in Russian folklore begins in the middle of the XIX century and continues to the present. This study examines the transformation of tradition and its existence at the present stage. We distinguish three forms of existence: sacred, professional-commercial and profane. The first one is considered on the example of Slavic communities that revitalize the sacred aspect of mummery, community pages on the VKontakte social network are analyzed. The second is represented by groups of professional buffoons reviving the skills of mummers, hookers, masks. The third form of existence is considered on the example of the “naked party”, which clearly shows the desacralization of tradition and the simulation of the sacred in festive culture.