Stories of House and Home : Soviet Apartment Life During the Khrushchev Years

__Stories of House and Home__ is a social and cultural history of the massive construction campaign that Khrushchev instituted in 1957 to resolve the housing crisis in the Soviet Union and to provide each family its own apartment. Decent housing was deemed the key to a healthy, productive home life, which was essential to the realization of socialist collectivism. Drawing on archival materials, as well as memoirs, fiction, and the Soviet press, Christine Varga-Harris shows how the many aspects of this enormous state initiative―from neighborhood planning to interior design―sought to alleviate crowded, undignified living conditions and sculpt residents into ideal Soviet citizens. She also details how individual interests intersected with official objectives for Soviet society during the Thaw, a period characterized by both liberalization and vigilance in everyday life. Set against the backdrop of the widespread transition from communal to one-family living, __Stories of House and Home__ explores the daily experiences and aspirations of Soviet citizens who were granted new apartments and those who continued to inhabit the old housing stock due to the chronic problems that beset the housing program. Varga-Harris analyzes the contradictions apparent in heroic advances and seemingly inexplicable delays in construction, model apartments boasting modern conveniences and decrepit dwellings, happy housewarmings and disappointing moves, and new residents and individuals requesting to exchange old apartments. She also reveals how Soviet citizens identified with the state and with the broader project of building socialism. Stories Of House And Home Is A Social And Cultural History Of The Massive Construction Campaign That Khrushchev Instituted In 1957 To Resolve The Housing Crisis In The Soviet Union And To Provide Each Family Its Own Apartment. Decent Housing Was Deemed The Key To A Healthy, Productive Home Life, Which Was Essential To The Realization Of Socialist Collectivism. Drawing On Archival Materials, As Well As Memoirs, Fiction, And The Soviet Press, Christine Varga-harris Shows How The Many Aspects Of This Enormous State Initiative--from Neighborhood Planning To Interior Design--sought To Alleviate Crowded, Undignified Living Conditions And Sculpt Residents Into Ideal Soviet Citizens. She Also Details How Individual Interests Intersected With Official Objectives For Soviet Society During The Thaw, A Period Characterized By Both Liberalization And Vigilance In Everyday Life. Set Against The Backdrop Of The Widespread Transition From Communal To One-family Living, Stories Of House And Home Explores The Daily Experiences And Aspirations Of Soviet Citizens Who Were Granted New Apartments And Those Who Continued To Inhabit The Old Housing Stock Due To The Chronic Problems That Beset The Housing Program. Varga-harris Analyzes The Contradictions Apparent In Heroic Advances And Seemingly Inexplicable Delays In Construction, Model Apartments Boasting Modern Conveniences And Decrepit Dwellings, Happy Housewarmings And Disappointing Moves, And New Residents And Individuals Requesting To Exchange Old Apartments. She Also Reveals How Soviet Citizens Identified With The State And With The Broader Project Of Building Socialism--jacket. Introduction: Novostroika -- Building A Socialist Home Befitting The Space Age -- Foundations: Revolution Realized -- Interior Spaces: Building The Socialist Person From Within -- Liminal Places: Corridors, Courtyards And Reviving Socialist Society -- The Quest For Normalcy: Coming Home, Settling Down, Moving Forward -- Constructing Soviet Identity And Reviving Socialism On The Home Front. Christine Varga-harris. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. STORIES OF HOUSE AND HOME 1 CONTENTS 8 List of Illustrations 10 Acknowledgments 12 Glossary 16 Note on Transliteration 18 Introduction: Kommunalki, Khrushchëvki 22 1. Building a Socialist Home Befitting the Space Age 45 2. Foundations: Revolution Realized 74 3. Interior Spaces: Building the Socialist Person from Within 102 4. Liminal Places: Corridors, Courtyards, and Reviving Socialist Society 127 5. The Quest for Normalcy: Coming Home, Settling Down, Moving Forward 157 6. Constructing Soviet Identity and Reviving Socialism on the Home Front 192 Conclusion: Beyond the Housing Campaign that “Shook the World” 232 Notes 244 Bibliography 284 Index 300 This book is a social and cultural history of the massive construction campaign that Khrushchev instituted in 1957 to resolve the housing crisis in the Soviet Union and to provide each family with its own apartment. Decent housing was deemed the key to a healthy, productive home life, which was essential to the realization of socialist collectivism. The book shows how the many aspects of this enormous state initiative - from neighborhood planning to interior design - sought to alleviate crowded, undignified living conditions and sculpt residents into ideal Soviet citizens