Russian-language children and youth periodicals of Latvia in the 1920s-1930s

Abstract

The article analyzes Russian-language periodicals for children and youth, published in Latvia in the 1920s-1930s. The study is based on the material of a wide range of archival sources, many of which are first introduced into scholarly discourse. After the October Revolution of 1917, the Russian diaspora of Latvia, which consisted of the indigenous local population, was replenished with refugees from the Russian Empire. A significant part of the emigrant flow were children. In order to prevent the loss of national and cultural identity, of historical memory, and of their native language, Russian emigrants turned to the publication of newspapers and magazines for the younger generation. Children’s periodicals of Russian emigrants were based on the professional principles of classical children’s journalism, typological and formal and semantic features of prerevolutionary publications. Russian-language children and youth periodicals in Latvia in the 1920s-1930s are marked by the diversity of types of publications: handwritten and typewritten editions of educational institutions; professional press published by the Salamandra publishing house; periodicals of public and youth associations, religious organizations. The foundation of the value system transmitted to the younger generation was the focus on preserving the Russian language, the cultural heritage of pre-revolutionary Russia; general socialization; education, developing creative abilities; assistance in solving acute social problems, etc. Russian-language newspapers and magazines for children and youth of the Republic of Latvia were created by teachers, professional publishers, editors and journalists, as well as by non-professionals - religious, public and political figures who were not indifferent to the problems of childhood. The creators’ activities contributed to the fact that the majority of Russian emigrant children not only retained the awareness of their belonging to Russia, the Russian language, traditions, cultural values, but also successfully integrated into the Latvian society, became full citizens of the country of residence. The study of the Russian-language children and youth periodicals of Latvia made it possible to conclude that the most favorable conditions for the publishing activity of Russian emigrants in Latvia were created before 1934, during the existence of a parliamentary republic. The policy of forcible assimilation of “non-Latvians” proclaimed in 1934 significantly limited the autonomy of the national minorities in Latvia. Against the background of the reduction in Russian-language periodicals, the reading circle of young people was forced to expand due to publications that were not aimed at children. The accession of Latvia to the USSR in August 1940 completed the stage of the existence of the emigre press and marked a new period in the functioning of the Russian-language press of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic. The authors declare no conflicts of interests.