It's mind blowing, actually! If you're interested, I can make a video on a group of intellectuals, translators, writers, artists and philosophers (of course, deemed bourgeois), that were known as the French Group - they were 'radicals', favouring Western ideas, reading and translating works of Hugo, Baudelaire etc., their contribution to the art world of Latvia is HUGE, they were reported to the government and thus, part of them were deported and died in Siberia.
My friend's dad was an artist in then 'Czechoslovakia' but had to paint in secrete. His works are now in museums and his country home out there, where his family use as a holiday home. I've been there once and it's just incredible. He was also a devout christian (which was a no-no), and he helped hide Jewish people in his home during the war.
This is wonderful. You should do more of these. Educational and enjoyable. I've studied Stalin and it's a fascinating period of history. My favourite composer is Dmitri Shostakovich. Some of his stuff is way out there, and yet somehow he managed to escape the knock at the door.
How do the millennials view that period of your history? Is it taught in schools? Is there still a kind of hangover with the older generations? Big generational divisions? I know that you get that in all countries probably, but when the political idealogy collapses like in the FSU, it must be a lot deeper. When I was in Alamty, it was kind of wild. The poverty gap was huge - babushki with gold teeth hawking sunflower seeds on the street, and new Kazakhs going past in Toyota Land Cruisers with their own drivers.
And in Latvia can you do that taxi thing where you stop any car in the street? That was a way cool way to travel.
Thanks so much for your comment! 😊
Of course, it is taught in schools. Latvian history after regaining independence, I believe, strives to be transparent about the period of Soviet occupation. We cannot be absolutely certain about what is true from the history taught in schools, but, anyway, I feel that after that terrible time of ultimate censorship or, essentially, a life lived in a communist vacuum, Latvian society now wants to be as clear as possible about that period. From the point of history, I think it is a huge progress. Yet no one really talks about the remains of socialist propaganda in people's mindsets.
Oh, yes, the vivid contrast. It was tough for Latvia in the 90s, and I think from that struggle grew the greediness of some people, and there are grave problems of corruption and money laundering ever since.
Hmm, don't know about that. Now we have Taxify, it's like Uber. 😄
Oh, I was talking about it only in the context of Latvia. But you have a point, really! Maybe it is not really history repeating, just history.. continued?
Well.. we're on the blockchain, were technically nothing can be erased, it could be a step towards transparency in history in the future. 😊
That's pretty crazy that people were actually arrested for their interest/knowledge in artwork. Insane times!
It's mind blowing, actually! If you're interested, I can make a video on a group of intellectuals, translators, writers, artists and philosophers (of course, deemed bourgeois), that were known as the French Group - they were 'radicals', favouring Western ideas, reading and translating works of Hugo, Baudelaire etc., their contribution to the art world of Latvia is HUGE, they were reported to the government and thus, part of them were deported and died in Siberia.
That's insane!!! I would love to hear more about this subject. Please make the vlog and you will definitely have at least one viewer here :)
My friend's dad was an artist in then 'Czechoslovakia' but had to paint in secrete. His works are now in museums and his country home out there, where his family use as a holiday home. I've been there once and it's just incredible. He was also a devout christian (which was a no-no), and he helped hide Jewish people in his home during the war.
Oh, wow! When was he painting and in what style?
It was tough to be a hero. We also have similar stories here.
I'll see if I can get a link to his stuff. I have a photobook of his art.
From memory, he painted abstract art.
This is wonderful. You should do more of these. Educational and enjoyable. I've studied Stalin and it's a fascinating period of history. My favourite composer is Dmitri Shostakovich. Some of his stuff is way out there, and yet somehow he managed to escape the knock at the door.
How do the millennials view that period of your history? Is it taught in schools? Is there still a kind of hangover with the older generations? Big generational divisions? I know that you get that in all countries probably, but when the political idealogy collapses like in the FSU, it must be a lot deeper. When I was in Alamty, it was kind of wild. The poverty gap was huge - babushki with gold teeth hawking sunflower seeds on the street, and new Kazakhs going past in Toyota Land Cruisers with their own drivers.
And in Latvia can you do that taxi thing where you stop any car in the street? That was a way cool way to travel.
Thanks so much for your comment! 😊
Of course, it is taught in schools. Latvian history after regaining independence, I believe, strives to be transparent about the period of Soviet occupation. We cannot be absolutely certain about what is true from the history taught in schools, but, anyway, I feel that after that terrible time of ultimate censorship or, essentially, a life lived in a communist vacuum, Latvian society now wants to be as clear as possible about that period. From the point of history, I think it is a huge progress. Yet no one really talks about the remains of socialist propaganda in people's mindsets.
Oh, yes, the vivid contrast. It was tough for Latvia in the 90s, and I think from that struggle grew the greediness of some people, and there are grave problems of corruption and money laundering ever since.
Hmm, don't know about that. Now we have Taxify, it's like Uber. 😄
So perfect.
Is history repeating itself?
What?!
Think again, sir.
In relation to political prisoners, I'd say this is still in practice in many places all over the world.
In China, you can be sent to jail for comments or artwork that doesn't favor the state.
One major difference between past generations, is digital communication, and how easy it is to erase or manipulate content.
It takes actual labor to remove physical objects, and/or the person that created it.
In the digital world, everything can be automated.
Oh, I was talking about it only in the context of Latvia. But you have a point, really! Maybe it is not really history repeating, just history.. continued?
Well.. we're on the blockchain, were technically nothing can be erased, it could be a step towards transparency in history in the future. 😊
I would like to be optimistic about the future of technology, regarding transparency.
Current trends seem to be heading in the other direction, unfortunately.
Blockchain network traffic could be deemed illegal if mass adoption happens, except for "official" versions that have backdoors installed.
I'll hang on as long as I can though. :)