"New" ethnic groups ("diaspora") of Tomsk

Abstract

The article analyzes "new" ethnic groups of Tomsk that emerged as a result of modern migration processes. The choice of Tomsk by migrants is due to the fact that it is a historically cosmopolitan Siberian city and a regional center where the migrants from Central Asia, the Caucasus and China arrive, and where the labor of migrant workers ("guest workers") is widely used these days. Moreover, as an academic city Tomsk annually welcomes a large number of non-resident and foreign students. The article is based on the research carried out in 2011-2014 with the purpose of exploring the issues connected with the adaptation of new migrants to the local society. Quantitative and qualitative methods were implemented such as focus-groups and expert interviews with the representatives of the national and cultural organizations and government agencies. Social and cultural processes taking place in the environment of new ethnic dispersions of Tomsk, mechanisms and means of sociocultural adaptation, group identity formation and institutionalization may be considered as models for modern Siberian city. One of the strategies employed by migrants to build relationships with the host society and create mutual economic and sociocultural adaptation is diasporization. "Diasporization is the formation of communities with developed and effectively functioning economic and social networks, mechanisms of mutual support and cooperation" (V.I. Dyatlov). New communities and organizations formed by migrants, both formal and informal, are aimed at satisfying their basic needs in a host society such as safety, information, connections, infrastructure to facilitate living and working. National and cultural autonomies, communities, centers and associations are officially approved as a part of the system by the government and society. Despite the fact that according to the legislation of Russian Federation their main goal is to preserve and develop national culture, language, customs and traditions, they are in fact primarily concerned with the accomplishment of the representative and mediatory functions not included in the statutory objectives, such cooperation with the authorities and foreign representatives and structures, provision of legal and financial support for migrants and assistance in their adaptation and integration into local society. National and cultural autonomy as an ethnic dispersion institute is currently becoming an efficient means of adaptation and integration into local society. As experience has proved that this means has long-term prospects.