MINORITIES IN CONTEMPORARY RUSSIA

Members of more than 160 ethnic communities live in Russia. Russians represent 80% of total Population of the country. In some sense all other can be considered as minorities. Paper will be dedicated to the state policy of Russia in ethnic sphere. While during the Soviet era it was spoken about friendship and approaching of the nations, today the main aim is multicultural society. In 1996 conception of state national (ethnic) policy was established and during the last decade several laws considering preservation of minorities' cultures and languages were passed. I will speak how this reflects on everyday life of citizens.