Tourism, Collective Farms, and Historical Memory in the Soviet Baltics

• In Event: Land Reform and Historical Memory in the Baltics

Abstract

The paper seeks to explains how the Soviet tourism agency "Intourist" influenced historical memory through its representation of collective farms in the Soviet Baltic Republics. It focuses on Inourist’s propaganda efforts, emphasizing the crucial role of agricultural representations in shaping perceptions of land ownership in the 20th century. The paper will explore deliberate choices in how collective farms were presented to tourists. Moreover, the paper aims to offer a unique perspective on the interplay between tourism, propaganda, and historical memory, providing insights into the socio-cultural dynamics of the Baltic states and into broader narratives about Soviet modernity. The research is poised to significantly impact our understanding of historical representation, propaganda, and memory construction in the Soviet Baltics.

Author

• Marta Starostina, University of Birmingham