Petersburg jako przestrzeń osobistego doświadczenia we wczesnej prozie Ariny Obuch

Abstract

SAINT PETERSBURG AS A SPACE OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN ARINA OBUKH’S EARLY PROSE

This article explores the early prose of Arina Obukh, a representative of the youngest generation of Petersburg writers, through the lens of cultural memory, urban semiotics, and autobiographical narrative. Central to the analysis is the concept of “the city as personal experience,” which emerges as a distinct interpretive category expanding traditional notions of the “Petersburg Text” in Russian literature. Her prose does not merely depict the city but actively shapes its literary representation and cultural identity, blending subjective perception with broader historical and artistic contexts. Departing from the traditionally sombre tone of Petersburg urban prose, Obukh offers a subtle, reflective, and often ironic portrayal of the city, where it functions as both a setting and an active agent in identity formation and memory construction. The autobiographical dimension – rooted in the author’s personal history, artistic education, and family legacy – plays a pivotal role in shaping her literary vision. By intertwining literary, spatial, and visual elements, Obukh constructs a unique narrative that transforms everyday urban experiences into culturally meaningful texts. Her prose stands at the intersection of individual memory and collective heritage, making a significant contribution to the evolving discourse on contemporary Russian urban literature.