HomeRaven, volume 16 (2009)

Raven, volume 16 (2009)

Available: online (links below); in print

Russian Regional Flags, by Anne M. Platoff

For the first time since the breakup of the Soviet Union, the flags of all federal subjects of Russia—Republics, Oblasts, Krais, and more—are documented in one volume in English. Based on a paper which won the Captain William Driver Award for scholarly achievement in vexillology, this book belongs on every flag-lover’s bookshelf.

Its 89 articles cover current and merged federal subjects. Each article provides the description of the territory’s flag, including its proportions, year of adoption, designer(s), history, and meaning. A locator map places the territory in Russia, with grayscale illustrations of the flag and arms in each article. (81 of 83 current subjects have flags—8 more merged subjects are covered.) 32 pages of full-color plates illustrate the flags and arms described in the articles in beautiful detail.

All of the federal subjects are identified in English, Russian, and transliterated Russian. An extensive analysis of the flags explores their design, colors, symbolism, and meaning.

This work was originally presented at NAVA's 42nd annual meeting in 2008; the author won the Captain William Driver Award for the best paper. For this volume of Raven, she was awarded the coveted Vexillon by the Fédération internationale des associations veillologiques in 2011 for the most important contribution to world vexillology in the previous two years.

This volume is the third special issue of Raven, joining Flags of the Native Peoples of the United States (Raven 3/4) and American City Flags (Raven 9/10).

Edward B. Kaye, Editor

Editorial Board:

Scot M. Guenter, San José State University
Anne M. Platoff, Arizona State University
John M. Purcell, Cleveland State University

Raven is a benefit of membership in NAVA.