THE “WEEK FOR A HEALTHY GENERATIONAL CHANGE” CAMPAIGN OF 1928 AND THE CREATION OF THE SOVIET MODEL OF PHYSICAL CULTURE

Abstract

The study is the first attempt in historiography to comprehensively examine the history of the wellness campaign “A Week for a Healthy Generation”, held in the USSR in 1928. The work not only reconstructs its course, but it is analyzed in the context of developing a unique Soviet model of physical education, which made it possible to correlate it with other innovative initiatives of the authorities in this area. The research is based on publications released as part of the campaign, as well as periodical materials that covered its progress and results. The originality of the conclusions is largely due to the reference to previously unknown archival documents, which helped to identify the number and composition of the participants in the campaign, the difficulties they faced during its implementation, and to assess the significance of the results obtained. It was concluded that, in general, the unsatisfactory results of the “Week” (which was also recognized by its organizers) are largely explained by the same reasons as the failures of other early Soviet campaigns, namely organizational failures, lack of resources, insufficient planning, and overloading with other tasks of those responsible for its implementation. At the same time, the work carried out within its framework on sanitary inspection, organization of health facilities, sanitary and hygienic education of the younger generation and their parents, promotion of physical culture and a healthy lifestyle contributed to the gradual establishment of new standards of physical culture and healthy leisure among the population. Thus, this campaign can be considered as a stage in the development of the Soviet model of physical education, which was based on sanitary and educational work.