«Sozial gesehen sind die Bauern wie Kinder.» Zwischen Didaktik, Repräsentation und Traditionalisierung – Der Erste Mai im zentralrussischen Dorf, 1929–1941

Abstract

«Considered Socially the Peasants are like Children.» Teaching, Representing, Traditionalizing – May Day in the Central Russian Village, 1929–1941 The article examines Soviet village festival culture during the pre-World War II Stalinist period. It focuses on the Central Russian region of Riazan. Festival culture is defined as a specific configuration of festive places, cultural practices and role models as demonstrated by leading festival performers. The article's findings are that: a) The Soviet festival was designed to teach the general populace. The Bolsheviks expected their festivals to shape not only the participant's attitude towards the regime, but the participant's ‹ self ›. b) The Soviet festival was a counterfestival. It was implemented to openly oppose church or pagan festivals. c) During pre-war Stalinism, Soviet and traditional festivals coexisted in the village. There were many elements in Soviet festival culture which referred to traditional festival culture.