The Soviet national holiday as a tool for integration: celebrating the anniversaries of the Oirot Autonomous Region (1932) and the Gorno‑Shor District (1936)

Abstract

In the 1930s, dates associated with the anniversaries of the formation of national administrative-territorial units began to appear in the Soviet holiday calendar. The purpose of this study is to examine the organization and conduct of celebrations marking the decades since the formation of the Oirot Autonomous Region (1932) and the Gorno-Shorsky National District (1936). The study draws on unpublished documents from the collections of the State Archives of the Altai Republic and the State Archives of Kuzbass, as well as periodicals from 1932-1936 (Soviet Siberia, Krasnaya Oirotia, Krasnaya Shoria, etc.). The formation of national-territorial units was associated with the areas of compact residence of the indigenous population. The article focuses on the organization of the holiday, which took a significant amount of time. Thematic publications and exhibitions were prepared, special commissions developed plans for the celebratory events, etc. The completion of construction projects significant to the region (theaters, bridges, power plants, roads, etc.) was timed to coincide with the celebrations. Sports and cultural programs were held during the festivities, and awards were presented to Stakhanovites and shock workers. Speeches by local government and party representatives were an important part of the ceremony. Their speeches were dubbed in the local indigenous language. In conclusion, the author concludes that the ten-year anniversary celebrations were an example of indigenization policy in Siberia and also drew attention to the cultural characteristics of regional life.