Abstract. The author addresses a problem of traditional mentality and analyses its transformations within the framework of modernisation. It is stressed that (mass) culture and mass media have the ability (albeit limited) to influence mentalities, which is of particular importance in the age of globalisation. In this regard, the main task for cultural policy makers is to organise seamless (organic) interaction between national mentality, spirituality, and culture. In this situation, counterbalancing commercialisation of culture on the one hand and supporting competitiveness of domestic cultural production on the domestic and world markets on the other are the state political priorities.