Compared with previous eras, the culture of the 20th century had an extraordinary flowering. The scope and depth of new discoveries in almost all areas of art (science, literature, painting, etc.) were stunning. However, with the advent of a large number of scientific developments, society became more and more material. And the masters of enlightenment, in turn, were deeply disappointed with the fact that humanity has replaced its spiritual values with material ones, having ceased to understand the world and itself.
The development of science led to the fact that knowledge began to spread everywhere through public lectures and periodicals. The advent of natural science has turned the understanding of most philosophical theories upside down, which is why the followers of Marxism and materialism are becoming less and less. Thus, the culture of the 20th century radically changed its values in the field of spirituality.
In their works, some creative personalities began to consider the experiences and feelings of one individual, who urged us to escape from dull reality into dreams and mysticism. This trend in art was called decadence. Another new trend appeared - modernism, which opposed the classical aesthetic experience of mankind, reflecting the subjective perception of the author. His goal was the pursuit of experimentation, innovation with the help of modern technical capabilities. Nevertheless, some authors went beyond this and warned readers about the dangers of the technogenic world. Modernism was a complex movement and had several directions (futurism, symbolism, etc.), all of them denied realistic art.
But it cannot be said that the culture of the 20th century completely ceased to follow traditions. Part of the work remained faithful to realism, which truthfully and deeply set out the complex history of the country. Other movements also opposed modernism, defending old principles. The great masters of the word, such as Chekhov, Tolstoy, Gorky, continued their work. These and other cultural figures of the 20th century made a significant contribution to classical literature.
Modernism has manifested itself in the visual arts. By virtue of this, another concept appeared - “avant-garde”. It characterizes different areas and schools that oppose traditional norms and rules (about beauty, color, plot), presenting modern and original works. The driving force for them was innovation and renewal.
The musical culture of the 20th century has also undergone some changes, while preserving, however, some continuity with classical music.
An increased interest in spirituality was revealed by composers (Rimsky-Korsakov, Rachmaninov, Scriabin) in the lyricism of their works. Rapprochement with the cultures of other countries gradually formed completely new directions.
In general, the culture of Russia at the beginning of the 20th century was a complex philosophical search, which was displayed in numerous movements, each of which put forward its own worldview and its own goals.
