Nerija Putinaitė - The new “traditional” soviet celebrations and their architectural forms
HOW DID I GET HERE?* NATIONAL IDENTITY IN ARCHITECTURE
So called “new traditional holidays” were introduced in Lithuania by the soviet union in the 1960ies. The aim of the policy was to diminish importance of the catholic church in the daily lives of citizens. Catholic rituals of traditional celebrations, such as christening, weddings, funerals, were replaced by the new soviet events and public holidays. New ceremonies and rituals took place in the specially designed building and ceremonial places.
Nerija Putinaitė – associate professor and researcher in the Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Vilnius University. 2004-2008 Adviser to the President of the Republic of Lithuania in the Culture, Science and Education Group, 2008-2012 Vice-minister for the Education and science of the Republic of Lithuania. Her professional interests focus on Lithuanian Soviet and post-Soviet identity, Lithuanian national identity. Published a book “Nenutrūkusi styga” (2007) on accommodation and resistance in the Soviet Lithuania.
The book widely describes environment and experiences of artists and designers during the socialist time. The diaries reflect socialist reality, freedom restrictions, uncertainty and worries of an intellectual. Tools of the regime to control artists are clearly visible in the book.
