Public Body (3): State Celebrations and Street Festivities

Abstract

This chapter will discuss the social functions and medial forms of the Soviet mass assemblies. Erosion of traditional society under the pressure of nineteenth century industrialization and urbanization posed a problem of social cohesion nearly everywhere, and Soviet Union was no exception: in the place of traditional “obshchina, " a new type of solidarity had to be created. The ideal model of modern community was constructed in and promoted by such small-scale rituals as party, trade-union, women’s and professional congresses, as well as holiday manifestations, open-air theatrical performances, and sport parades. The aesthetic forms of mass events were created by professional artists, composers, literati, film, and theatrical directors who were developing the new language of direct mass communication. In addition to these innovations, the community celebrations absorbed and reinvented religious practices such as commemoration of martyrs, worship of relics, and other traditional religious festivities (filled with the new, revolutionary content).