The Status of a “Settlement of Military Valor” as a Tool for Preserving the Historical Memory of the Great Patriotic War on the Example of Settlements in the Moscow Region

Abstract

This article examines the awarding of the honorary title “Settlement of Military Valor” in the Moscow Region as a tool for preserving the historical memory of the Great Patriotic War. It analyzes the geographic distribution of awarded settlements, their connection to the events of the Battle of Moscow in 1941–1942, and the symbolic significance of commemorative steles. Based on an analysis of the geographical patterns of the awards and specific examples (such as the villages of Yushkovo, Tashirovo, Papivino, and others), the article identifies factors influencing the recognition of settlements’ military merits. The work is based on an interdisciplinary approach combining legal, historical and cultural analysis for a comprehensive understanding of the processes of preserving and transforming the memory of the war at the regional level. Cultural analysis shows the importance of memorial initiatives and historical and educational activities for patriotic education at the local level.