Culture in the networks of mobility: strategies of choosing recreation practices among young Petersburgers

Abstract

The paper dwells upon strategies and tactics of cultural consumption among young Petersburgers. Basing on a series of expert interviews and in-depth interviews with target audience we demonstrate specific local features of their needs, and models for developing trajectories of cultural consumption. They are determined by perceived importance of horizontal social connections used as a source of information about cultural events, valuing free choice of trajectories (including freedom of movement within a cultural institution, self-scheduling the pace of one's consumption, fluidity and comfort of space, opportunity to co-produce culture rather than to be a passive observer), certain predictability of the programme, and possibilities of redevelopment of social connections during cultural consumption. We demonstrate that cultural consumption in Saint Petersburg is built in everyday routine processes, and due to that it is determined by trajectories of transport mobility: culture becomes concentrated in the “golden triangle” of city centre (though a need for peripheral cultural events and attractions is also articulated), nevertheless the city centre environment factor limits the variety of events which are considered appropriate in the area.