The Construction of the Image of Soviet Happiness: The Case of Ivanovo, 1953-1964

The post-Stalinist period can be characterized as a time of attention to morality. During this time happiness was only a part of a larger discourse of the creation of the "new man", who in the near future, will reach communism and will be prepared for living in new era propergated with new moral terms. In addition, happiness is portrayed as a collective emotion and not as something fragile, only existing momentarily. The specificity of regional case of Ivanovo emphasizes the flexibility of ideas that have adapted to local conditions. For example: the newspapers devote more attention to international women's day because of the strong gender asymmetry in the region (what region pls). Citizens can thus experience the great presence of propaganda about the textile industry, which is very important to local identity. Research conducted through the analysis of diaries, photo albums, and interviews shift the theme of Soviet subjectivity to a new level focussing on the period of Khrushchev. Emotions, especially Soviet happiness, are not seen as separate from the rational actions of the citizens, but related to them by the term "emotional intelligence". Depending on education and profession, people experienced different levels of emotional intelligence. They would react to life's problems and achievements in different ways. Moreover, this approach of post-revisionist school of Soviet studies on subjectivity shows that there were some dynamics not only in transition from Stalin to Khrushchev, but also in social institutions and even social groups. Soviet citizens, representatives of the local elite of the time, tend to understand socialist happiness more as consumers, while workers and students were internalizing the official discourse.