Soviet Secular Rituals of Late Socialism: Ideology, Aesthetics and Structuring of the Life Cycle
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Date
2024
Authors
Studenna-Skrukwa, Marta
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Дух і Літера
Abstract
This chapter is devoted to the phenomenon of Soviet secular rituals prescribed by the Commission on Soviet traditions, holidays and rites operating in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1964. As the Commission was at its most active during the second half of 1970s and in the early 1980s at that time special instructions for the rituals of marriage, childbirth and funerals were published. My aim was to present a detailed description of the ceremonial procedures as recommended by the commission as well as analyzing their significance as a propaganda tool. According to my findings they were supposed to perform at least three roles. Firstly, they served as a substitute for religious rites. Secondly, they were to structure the life cycle of the Soviet man. Finally, the Soviet rituality of the period of late socialism was strongly associated with the need to create opportunities for mass consumption.
Description
The research focuses on the phenomenon of Soviet secular rituals guided by the Commission on Soviet Traditions, Holidays, and Rites within the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, operational from 1964 onwards. The Commission’s most active period was during the latter half of the 1970s and the early 1980s. During this time, the Commission published guidelines outlining the ceremonial procedures for marriage, childbirth, and funerals. The primary objective was to provide a comprehensive depiction of these prescribed procedures while also analyzing their role as a propagandistic instrument. The study identifies three key functions that these rituals aimed to fulfill. Firstly, they were designed to act as a substitute for religious rituals, aligning with the atheistic principles of the Soviet regime. Secondly, these rituals were intended to structure the life cycle of a Soviet individual, creating a framework that corresponded with the collective values of the state. Lastly, the ritualism of late socialist Soviet society was intertwined with the pursuit of promoting mass consumption and creating avenues for economic growth. The research seeks to unravel the multifaceted significance of these secular rituals, shedding light on their ideological underpinnings, social roles, and economic implications within the context of Soviet society.
Keywords
Soviet Rituality, Life Cycle, Late Socialism, USSR, Soviet Ukraine, section of the monograph
Citation
Studenna-Skrukwa M. Soviet Secular Rituals of Late Socialism: Ideology, Aesthetics and Structuring of the Life Cycle / Marta Studenna-Skrukwa // Радянське "я" і радянське "ми" між ідеологією і реальністю = Soviet "I" and Soviet "We" between Ideology and Reality : колективна монографія за підсумками конференції / [заг. ред. Наталії Шліхти ; упоряд. Тетяни Бородіної]. - Київ : Дух і Літера, 2024. - C. 150-157.