in 2022 Authoritarian Laughter, published in English by Cornell University Press in the USA, won the 2022 Best Book Award of the Women’s Forum of the Association for British Slavic Studies and East European Studies (BASEES).
“Authoritarian laughter” is dedicated to the political history of the satire and humor magazine “Sluota”. The only humor magazine published in Lithuanian language in Soviet Lithuania, the book says, was supposed to shape the emotions, morals, and thoughts of Soviet citizens and help create a better “society moving toward communism.” However, his multidirectional humor both reflected the aspirations of the Communist Party and contradicted them.
The author explores the desire of the Soviet state to force, and perhaps even teach, people to laugh when needed. The book presents the history of the establishment of “Shluotas” and its humor, cartoons, writes about censorship, readers’ letters to the magazine, revolutionary laughter during the collapse of the Soviet Union. “Authoritarian laughter” is illustrated with caricatures of the time, unique documents from 1956-1990.
To the question of whether authoritarian states can use laughter as a tool of state management to get citizens to laugh together, the author answers: “Since laughter is ambiguous and contextual, the readers of “Shluotas” often laughed at the Soviet government, not with it.”
“Great job! The book expertly analyzes the place of satire in the structures of power – a problem relevant to the history of the former Soviet Union and, more broadly, to the analysis of the power of modern states,” said New York University professor Bruce Grant.
Visiting researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, anthropologist dr. Rima Praspaliauskiene notes that “the stories about red ink, artists’ resistance, relationships with readers and rich details of everyday life make this book particularly attractive to a wide audience.”
The book was translated into Lithuanian by Daiva Litvinskaitė, editor Rūta Statkevičiūtė, artist Saulius Bajorinas. The publication was partially financed by the Lithuanian Council of Culture.
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#book #anthropologist #Klumbytė #political #history #satire #humor #magazine #Šluota #Culture
**Interview with Dr. Agnė Žemaitis, Author of “Authoritarian Laughter”**
**Editor:** Dr. Žemaitis, congratulations on winning the 2022 Best Book Award from the Women’s Forum of the BASEES! Can you tell us what inspired you to write “Authoritarian Laughter”?
**Dr. Žemaitis:** Thank you! The idea began with my fascination for how humor can both reflect and shape societal dynamics. In Soviet Lithuania, “Sluota” served as a unique space for satire, allowing citizens to navigate the harsh realities of life under authoritarianism. It was compelling to explore how humor could both align with and subvert the Communist Party’s narrative.
**Editor:** Your book discusses how humor was used to influence the emotions and morals of citizens. Can you elaborate on that?
**Dr. Žemaitis:** Absolutely. The Soviet government was keen on molding public sentiment and used humor as a tool to foster a compliant society. They expected laughter to occur “on command,” promoting ideologies while simultaneously attempting to suppress dissent. “Sluota” managed to walk a fine line, often reflecting the populace’s aspirations while cleverly criticizing the regime.
**Editor:** You mention censorship and reader responses in your work. How did these elements shape the magazine’s content?
**Dr. Žemaitis:** Censorship was a significant force. Many jokes were carefully crafted to avoid the ire of the authorities, yet readers found ways to engage with the content’s subtext. Letters to the magazine illustrated a public craving for humor that resonated with their lived experiences, offering both a sense of community and a means of resistance.
**Editor:** The caricatures you include are a key aspect of your book. What role do they play in your argument about the power of laughter?
**Dr. Žemaitis:** The caricatures are crucial—they offer visual commentary that enhances the text and illustrates the absurdity of the regime. They encapsulate the essence of both humor as a coping mechanism and a form of protest. By depicting the everyday realities of life in a totalitarian state, they challenge the official narratives and encourage critical thought among the audience.
**Editor:** how do you believe “Authoritarian Laughter” contributes to the broader understanding of humor in oppressive regimes?
**Dr. Žemaitis:** I hope it sheds light on the complex relationship between humor and power. In oppressive contexts, laughter can serve as an act of defiance, a way to reclaim agency. I believe by understanding the past, we can better appreciate how humor continues to function in today’s society, often as a means of coping with contemporary challenges.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Žemaitis, for sharing your insights! It sounds like “Authoritarian Laughter” will provide valuable perspectives on the power of humor in history.
**Dr. Žemaitis:** Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure discussing these ideas.
