The extreme hubris of municipal and naval officers created difficulties faced by party officials who tried to redefine the traditional Russian past of Sevastopol and conform it to a more acceptable past dictated by the central authority. Professor Qualls argues that party members were unable to force conformity among the people of Sevastopol, at least in their traditions, and instead the city held fast to its roots to the motherland. His use of the word “mythmakers” to describe party official designated to re-invent Sevastopol’s past is absolutely applicable because they tried to do exactly that. … Read the rest here
Tag Archives: socialist realism
Beating the System: Socialist Realism
During the Soviet Union, especially the Stalin era, the state controlled members of all professions- including artists, architects, writers, musicians, and directors. Members of these professions were forced to join unions and would be expelled from the unions if they did not follow their strict rules. Basically, the rules stated that all art had to glorify the state. Artists who wrote about other topics were expelled from the unions and their careers were ruined. Artists who dared criticize the state were sent to the gulags.… Read the rest here