Россия в начале XX в.

The review is devoted to the first large-scale publication of sources on the culture of the Samara province during the First World War. The book was prepared by the staff of the Samara Regional Universal Scientific Library, among whom experienced historians which included experienced historians and was assisted by specialists from other cultural institutions. It meets modern criteria for the selection and publication of documentary materials. A contribution has been made to the study of the cultural life in a difficult era.

On the materials of the state archives of Samara, Kazan, Cheboksary and on published historical sources the article analyzes the preparations for the celebrations dedicated to the 300th anniversary ofthe Romanov dynasty. It is shownthat preparationsforthe holidaytook on a universal  character, all segments of the population, independent of class, national, religious affiliation, were involved in the process of this preparation. Programs of celebrations are analyzed, they depended on a specific city, its material capabilities and the composition of the population.