S. P. Gudkova National Research Ogarev Mordovia State University, Saransk, Russian Federation, [email protected] А. М. Rauzhina National Research Ogarev Mordovia State University, Saransk, Russian Federation, [email protected] ABSTRACT Introduction: the article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of artistic embodiment of the image of the Mordovian region in the creative work of K. Tangalychev and fits into the complex of studies of domestic literary studies concerning the problem of analyzing the author’s individual style. The subject of analysis is the ways and methods of creating the image of the small homeland in the prose and poetic texts of the author. Objective: to reveal the specificity of representation of the image of the Mordovian region in the artistic heritage of K. Tangalychev. Research materials: poetry collections of K. Tangalychev “The Nearest Village” (2001), “The Tin Century” (2014), “The Pedigree of the Sunset” (2017), and the book of essays “The Return of the Strawberry” (2023). Results and novelty of the research: the creative work of K. Tangalychev, the poet and publicist, occupies a special place in the literary process of Mordovia. Tatar by nationality, living in close proximity to the Mordovian and Russian peoples, he praised the multinational region rich in cultural traditions. A distinctive feature of his artistic works is a dialectical combination of national and international, everyday life, ancient history and modernity. The scientific novelty of the article is due to the fact that it represents the first experience of a comprehensive study of the image of the small homeland in the literary heritage of the author. In the course of the study it was established that K. Tangalychev’s nonfiction works are deeply lyrical, and his poetry is permeated with autobiographical beginning. The central artistic dominant of his works is the image of his small homeland – the native village Akcheevo, which is mythologized into a symbolic image of ancient Greek Hellas – the place of strength and creative inspiration of the poet. The sacredness of this geographical topos is created by the key constants – the image of a mother praying for her son; native nature reflecting the divine essence of the universe; fellow villagers preserving national traditions; the legendary historical past of the Temnikovsky region. The lyrical hero, closely merged with the image of the poet himself, deeply experiences the destruction of human ties with his spiritual Home, hence, the motif of memory as the plot-forming basis of creativity of K. Tangalychev acquires special importance. Key words: К. Tangalychev, essayism, poetry, books of poems, image of small homeland, Akcheevo village, lyrical hero, multicultural space For citation: Gudkova S. P., Rauzhina A. M. The image of the Mordovian region in the creative work of Kamil Tangalychev // Vestnik ugrovedenia = Bulletin of Ugric Studies. 2024; 14 (1/56): 7–15.