Prof. Dalia Leinartė claims that during the Soviet era, the state demanded practically impossible things from women and men, the influence of the Soviet regime on the family was done with the help of propaganda tools, elements of the Soviet ideology. The book “Unplanned Life. A family in Soviet-era Lithuania”, which the author will present and invite to a discussion on April 18. at 5 p.m. in the Jurgis Kunčinas public library of Alytus (Seiriju st. 2). The monograph is a nominee of the “Book of the Year” competition in the non-fiction category, as well as the winner of the “Book Art” competition of the Ministry of Culture of Lithuania.
The book “Unplanned Life” tells regarding the everyday life of many families, often marked by poverty, violence, alcoholismmud and despair, openly demonstrating the consequences of Soviet ideology for today’s Lithuanian society. In her monograph, Dalia Leinartė explores how the working conditions of men and women, the lack of pre-school institutions, the decades-long taboo of sexual life, the centrally distributed living space and welfare goods, the erosion of the boundaries of publicity and privacy, influenced decisions regarding marriage and divorce. The author states: “Although a greater diversity of social thought and action was tolerated following Stalin’s death, it was during the political followingmath that the family and women experienced enormous pressure from the Soviet ideology.” The writer opens a window to the past for the future readers of the book, in order to convey the influence of the Soviet regime on the family and how it has also changed the lives of people today.
Dalia Leinartė – historian, publicist, member and former chairman of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination once morest Women (CEDAW), professor at VMU. in 2018 She was selected by Apolitical as one of the 100 most influential people in gender politics worldwide. Books “Tame everyday life. Autobiographical Interviews of Women, 1945-1970′, ‘Married Society. Marriage and divorce in Lithuania in the 19th and 20th centuries. in the beginning” author.
The book very aptly reflects the Soviet era and all its consequences for the institution of the family. It’s an engaging story regarding you, your parents and/or grandparents that many will find very relatable. The author herself claims that she did not expect that the book would attract so much interest among young people. It turns out that this monograph helped them better understand themselves, their parents’ actions, and the peculiarities of their upbringing. We kindly invite you to a meaningful conversation – it will be interesting!
Indre Navikke
