Instruments of Propaganda: the Burial Places Of the Soviet Soldiers of the Second World War In Lithuania. Old and Newtrends

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Instruments of Propaganda: the Burial Places Of the Soviet Soldiers of the Second World War In Lithuania. Old and Newtrends

Journal Title: Історико-культурні студії - Year 2017, Vol 4, Issue 1

Abstract

The secondary nature of the cemeteries of the Soviet soldiers of the Great Patriotic Warallowed creating the places, which could be compatible with propaganda whims and have everything that is needed for a perfect monument. The sites of victorious battles, heroic death and other similar historical places could perfectly suit for the creation of the myth of the Great Patriotic War, but all these places had one drawback – they were remote and rare. They were bound to the location of the initial events. While the secondary establishment and abundance of available resources (i.e. bodies) allowed founding the cemeteries of the Soviet soldiers of the Great Patriotic Warin necessary locations, to the extent necessary and the ones that were needed. These cemeteries did not have to obey the history, on the contrary, the history– politically and propogandically “fair” narrative was created by them. They embodied the best features of the phenomenon of heritage – the society trusted them and believed in them, and they themselves were able to create the stories needed for politics of memory, even fake stories, if necessary. In 1990 the myth of the Great Patriotic Warbecame alien in Lithuania. The majority of its material signs were destroyed or devaluated, but the burial places of soldiers remained. And they remained in all extent, starting with the network, monuments and ending with symbols. In about 2000 they became the place of action to the group, which we conditionally can call the circle of the Russian Embassy in Lithuania. The reconstruction of the places, which is carried out on their intention, evidences their desire to preserve the myth of the Great Patriotic War by adapting to the current circumstances and further embed these places in the landscape of Lithuania. It would be unfair to evaluate the latter processes unambiguously and attribute these places only to the field of direct targeted propaganda or the desire to make influence. For example, the factor of commercial benefit also cannot be rejected – the more places, the more activities and the more funds can be requested for execution of these activities. However, whatever the intentions are, the potential of these places is to compete with the present-day great Lithuanian narratives or to deny them. The same phenomenon is considered as occupation and evil by the ones and as liberation and Victory by the others. Such is the nature of these places and it seems that it is unchangeable.

Authors and Affiliations

Salvijus Kulevičius

EP ID EP312084
DOI -
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