Osip Konstantinov, editor of the newspaper Kavkaz: Contribution to the creation of an environment of dialogue and cooperation between Russia and the Caucasus

The article considers the activities of Osip Konstantinov as the editor of the newspaper Kavkaz and a researcher of the Caucasus. The work generalizes disparate information about the Caucasian period of his work and provides an up-to-date assessment of his Caucasian studies mission, which underlies the construction of a dialogue and cooperation between Russia and the Caucasus. The study formulates the problem of identifying Konstantinov's works on Caucasian studies. The newspaper Kavkaz is defined as a space for mutual integration of various social and ethnic groups of the Russian Empire. The work avoids assessing the formation and functioning of the Caucasian periodical from the standpoint of the concepts of "colonialism" and "nationalism". The study highlights the integration effect of the activities of the editor and the newspaper regardless of the situational attitude towards the Caucasus, and the Caucasian mission of Russian generals and the imperial administration at the time of the establishment of the newspaper Kavkaz. The study is based on an assessment of the long-term and multifactorial consequences of Konstantinov's activities in studying and presenting the Caucasus. The period of Konstantinov's intense and fruitful work on the newspaper Kavkaz has not been subjected to a special study in Russian historiography. In this regard, the article analyzes the circumstances of the new periodical's establishment and Konstantinov's appointment as editor. The article examines M.S. Vorontsov's initiative to create a newspaper, the nuances of defining the purpose and objectives of the publication, choosing a publisher, launching the newspaper by Konstantinov and his subsequent departure from the post of editor. Particular attention in the work is paid to the goal-setting of the editor and his achievement of creative success of the publication due to a well-thought-out publishing policy and a systematic vision of the prospects for depicting the Caucasus. It is shown that much in the work of the editorial board depended on the editor's individual strategy and practice. Konstantinov's level of training, erudition, interests and breadth of views directly influenced the organization of the description and study of the Caucasus on the pages of the newspaper Kavkaz. Konstantinov is also credited with targeted work to attract talented authors to the newspaper, including those of Caucasian origin. It is noted that the publication gained intellectual weight through the efforts of Konstantinov, who ensured the richness and value of the published materials. The first editor of the newspaper Kavkaz is assessed as a talented Caucasus scholar and creator of a platform for dialogue and explanation of the cultural and historical logic of the integration of the peoples of the Caucasus and Russia. The authors declare no conflicts of interests.

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