“Not a Word about Politics, but What Agitation! What Propaganda!”: Soviet Cultural Diplomacy in Latvia in the Interwar Period

Abstract

The article discusses some aspects of Soviet cultural diplomacy in Latvia during the interwar period. Using the example of work in Latvia it is shown that Soviet cultural diplomacy is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, including state propaganda and interaction between people in addition to official state relations. Various means were used to propagate and disseminate the achievements of the Soviet Union — controlled scientific contacts, organized exhibitions and book exchange, supervised cultural ties of creative intelligentsia, provided tours for Soviet artists, etc. All this made it possible to go beyond the diplomatic sphere and carry out a whole range of tasks to influence the “Western intelligentsia”. The Baltic States and particularly Latvia provided multifold possibilities for such work since common past gave rise to a certain spiritual affinity with Russian culture among the Latvian intelligentsia. Also NKID wanted to use the means of cultural diplomacy for political rapprochement with neighbors — Baltic States and Finland. These efforts were consistent and coordinated with foreign policy goals: in 1925—1929 it was closely connected with the negotiations on the conclusion of the guarantee and trade treaties. The internal political situation in Latvia also influenced the intensity of cultural contacts: after the 1934 Latvian coup d’état and establishment of the authoritarian regime of K. Ulmanis the possibilities of cultural and propaganda activities in Latvia were reduced. In 1930s VOKS’ activity in Latvia was aimed at maintaining a positive image of the USSR on the eve of the conclusion of the mutual aid pact (October 5, 1939), resisting German influence, searching loyal intelligentsia. Moscow often placed stake on those who were connected with Russian culture, and — after Ulmanis’ coup d’état — opposed the authoritarian regime. For many of them the contacts with VOKS and Latvian Society of cultural rapprochement with USSR identified their political, scientific or artistic career after the annexation of Latvia by the USSR.