The modern world is home to a diverse range of folk cultures, each reflecting the unique development of their respective ethnic groups and nations. The uniqueness of each culture is manifested in its centuries-old way of life, traditions, accepted patterns of behavior and interaction, and distinctive character traits and mentality. Today, with the rise of globalization and multiculturalism, the issue of preserving cultural identity has become a pressing issue. This challenge is particularly acute for countries with multi-ethnic populations, where the formation of a national identity, which ensures national cohesion, occurs under much more challenging conditions than in mono-ethnic countries. For Russia, this challenge is compounded by complex historical twists and turns, often disrupting traditional values and ways of life. This leads to a constant search for one's place in the world and a recognition of the cultural identity that ensures the sustainability of this place. This article highlights the key factors influencing the formation of cultural identity and examines their impact on the development of Russian self-awareness within a historical context. In the context of Russia's "borderline" geopolitical position between Europe and Asia, the distinctiveness of Russian culture is examined from the perspective of the influence exerted on it by Eastern and Western cultures. To this end, key characteristics have been identified that allow for the dividing lines between Western and Eastern cultures: "individualism vs. collectivism," "direct vs. indirect communication," "rationalism vs. contemplation," "mono-activity vs. reactivity," and "recognition vs. minimization of status differences." A comparative analysis conducted using these characteristics of Eastern and Western cultures allowed us to establish the absence of a clear affiliation of Russian culture with either Western or Eastern characteristics. It concludes that it is an independent phenomenon with its own unique and often
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