Spaces of Samizdat Sociality

Abstract

This chapter looks at public discourse in terms of the imagined “space of discussion.” In the case of the late Soviet underground, this was not a unified space but a collection of different discursive spheres associated with the communities who projected and represented themselves through samizdat periodical editions. Some of these underground groups maintained strong ties with one another, sharing spaces of discourse, while others sought to mark their distance from more dominant groups. One notable phenomenon consisted of groups trying to distance themselves from the influential and centrally located group of rights activists. This seemed to be as or more urgent a task than separating from official culture for some. People also sought to adapt official spaces of discourse: this fact helps underscore the embeddedness of underground groups within Soviet society. The space of discourse is also related to a geographic location—things could be said and done in the Soviet capital that were not possible in the other republics and provinces. On the other hand, the Moscow center could be used by more peripheral groups as a central point of exchange and transmission.