 | Socialist Escapes: Breaking Away from Ideology and Everyday Routine in Eastern Europe, 1945-1989 Subjects: Europe Eastern -- Social life and customs -- 20th century; Europe Eastern -- Social conditions -- 20th century; Europe Eastern -- History -- 1945–1989; Escape (Psychology) -- Europe Eastern -- History -- 20th century; Amusements -- Europe Eastern --; During much of the Cold War, physical escape from countries in the Eastern Bloc was a nearly impossible act. There remained, however, possibilities for other socialist escapes, particularly time spent free from party ideology and the mundane routines of everyday life. The essays in this volume examine sites of socialist escapes, such as beaches, campgrounds, nightclubs, concerts, castles, cars, and soccer matches. The chapters explore the effectiveness of state efforts to engineer society through leisure, entertainment, and related forms of cultural programming and consumption. They lead to a deeper understanding of state-society relations in the Soviet sphere, where the state did not simply "dictate from above" and inhabitants had some opportunities to shape solidarities, identities, and meaning. Cathleen M. Giustino is Professor of History at Auburn University where she teaches courses on modern Central and Eastern European history. Catherine J. Plum is Associate Professor of History at Western New England University where she teaches courses on modern European and German history. Alexander Vari is Associate Professor of Modern European History at Marywood University. Cathleen M. Giustino is Professor of History at Auburn University where she teaches courses on modern Central and Eastern European history. |
