Transformation of cultural life in the conditions of social space of the province at the turn of the 1950-ies – 1960-ies

This article explores the characteristics of cultural development in the provinces during the 1950-ies and 1960-ies of the XX century within the context of everyday life in the Soviet Union. The authors analyze the issue of access to cultural amenities for residents of both the capital and the provinces, highlighting the long-standing disparities in social development across the vast and diverse Russian landscape. An examination of periodicals and citizen appeals to the authorities revealed conflicting approaches to addressing this issue. The analysis showed a significant narrowing of the cultural development gap between the capital and the regions. A significant shift in the cultural dynamics of village life is demonstrated, with cultural activities transitioning from the church to the village club. The cultural demands of citizens have changed significantly. The deliberate promotion of cultural and recreational activities fostered a transformation in social awareness, leading to increased proactivity in citizens’ cultural pursuits. However, despite the Soviet authorities’ efforts to ensure equal access to cultural benefits, persistent domestic challenges prevented them from fully achieving this goal. Mosaic access to cultural assets, commonly associated with rural communities, was also observed in working-class neighborhoods within large cities. Based on citizens’ appeals to the authorities, the authors demonstrate that cultural demands became a crucial factor in resolving domestic problems. In the totalitarian state, cultural life autonomy vanished from the center, a trend that persisted even during the ‘thaw’ period. Executive documents reveal that local authorities were unable to independently resolve even organizational issues of cultural life, as substantive matters remained tightly controlled ideologically.