Social-Cultural Processes within Sumy Region during the Period of the German Occupation 1941-1943 (Based on the Materials of “Sumy Visnyk” Newspaper)

Abstract

The objective of the article is to cover the social-cultural processes on the territory of Sumy region during the period of the German military occupation in 1941-1943. The majority of the research source base comprises publications in the local occupation newspaper “Sumy Visnyk” which was issued 1941 to 1943. Its articles give the opportunity to study thoroughly certain social-cultural processes in general and the development of the theatrical and educational spheres, functioning of a museum, a cinema, and libraries in particular. Also, it enables characterizing the everyday life of the population in the state of occupation. The authors have come to a conclusion that the occupational periodicals were aimed at creating a positive perception of the occupation authority by the local population, manipulating the masses to make further resistance impossible. The life of the population was quite hard and also limited in many aspects. It included a curfew, restrictions for trade and migration. The purpose of the social policy was the use of the workforce but the workers were obliged to have an employee registration card provided by the labour exchange. The newspaper articles pour the light on such phenomena of cultural life as cinema premiers, theatre performances and concerts which had an extensive repertoire. Radiobroadcasts turned into the main tool for informing the population and taking ideological control over it. The museum resumed its work, the exhibitions of different pieces of art (paintings, embroidery and woodcarving) were held quite often. The educational reform took the turn of Ukrainization. Some new vocational-technical colleges, schools and German language courses were opened. A certain liberalization of a spiritual life was initialized. Worship in the Orthodox churches was also resumed.