Michael Friederich,
Otto-Friedrich-Universität (Bamberg, Germany),
16 Kapuzinerstraße, Bamberg, 960047, Germany,
gilyazov1958@mail.ru.
The article deals with the problem of Tatar national character. The author focuses on Tatar written sources (primarily newspaper and magazine publications) of the early 20th century. Their analysis allows the author to reveal peculiarities of self-description of Tatars during the period. The author reflects on the causes of disagreements and lack of unity in Tatar society, emphasizing the features of the national character and drawing parallels between the phenomena of the beginning and end of the twentieth century. Attention is also paid to regional peculiarities of national character.
Key words: Tatars, Volga-Ural region, Tatar national character, mentality.