The final assignment for the camp’s participants was to create collages on the topic of “Uncovering Soviet Propaganda”. They used material e.g. from the Soviet era combined with items from nowadays and described their thoughts about the Soviet past in their own words.

Добро Пожаловать/Welcome to (We Wish You Well)

“A red dove – symbol of the Soviet Union's peace: a red peace. Based on lies, on forced and twisted truths, on violence, on betrayal, on manipulation and red propaganda.

Добро Пожаловать to the unfolding of the Soviet Union's way of hiding the truth. Добро Пожаловать to the way the Soviet Union hid the music that it sang, created an illusion and put forward lies or half-truths.

In schools, pupils were encouraged to be obedient and to follow rules strictly. Freedom or individuality was discouraged from a very early age. Everyone was the same: wearing the same uniform and thinking the same thoughts.

The Soviet ideal, the Soviet perfect life was shown by putting forward the ideals: a Lada car, an apartment which would honour the leaders and the “Great” Soviet Union, a traditional family functioning like a part of a bigger organism – the state. The state was the reason for making sacrifices: from personal wishes and loyalty to your family or friends, to freedom.

In return, the state shielded you from the outside world, provided “equality”, made you believe you were part of the greatest nation ever – the one that even conquered the moon and space. Iurii Gagarin and many other scientists and political figures became the symbol of the powerful USSR and tasted the the „Родной советской власть“.

We could see how the state and the idea of socialism managed to creep into every single aspect of life – so much so that people became brainwashed with time, singing the same song that had been sung to them on a broken record for 70 years (1921 – 1991).”

By Raluca (Republic of Moldova)