Holidays of the First Furrow and Russian Birch Tree in the rural areas of Altai Krai in the 1950s – 1980s: constructing new rites and remembrance points

Abstract

Based on the materials from Altai Krai, the article focuses on the making of the new Soviet holidays in 1953–1985 that were connected with the cycle of spring field work (Holiday of the First Furrow, Russian Birch Tree holiday, etc.) as a cultural practice of a Soviet village. The author examines the process of organizing and holding these holidays, their structure and semantics, as well as the connection with traditional East Slavic rites. It is concluded that their main meaning was to demonstrate the high status of exemplary rural workers. The construction of new holidays gave rise to a softer version of communication between the authorities and the rural communities.