Popular readings in parochial schools of the Russian Empire in the late XIX — XX centuries (on the example of Tambov diocese)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the historical experience of conducting folk readings on the basis of parochial schools. The relevance of the research is determined by the significance of studying the experience of implementing extracurricular education and the related problem field — personnel issues, financing, technical support, selection of reading material and its structuring. The leading method in conducting the research was the principle of historicism, which allows the analysis of factual material in connection with the specific historical conditions of its existence. The empirical material for the article was the reports of the Tambov Diocesan College Council, the reports of the Board of the Society for the Arrangement of Folk Readings in Tambov and Tambov province, as well as a number of materials published during the study period. Based on the presented information, the author summarizes the accumulated experience, indicating the features of the functioning of this form of extracurricular education in the Tambov diocese. As a result of the research, the conclusion is made about the scientific significance of studying the practice of conducting folk readings during this period, as it has not lost relevance in modern conditions. Despite the fact that folk readings were finally replaced by cinema in the future, the problem of replenishing students' knowledge, expanding the horizons and self-education of adults, as well as the reasonable use of free time will remain acute.