Figure 1.-- The image here comes from a rare, recently discovered Soviet propaganda film made after the Soviets had invaded and taken over the government of Latvia in 1940-41. The Communists of course seized control of the schools. A play was put on for the children in the school involving a central clown-like figure (perhaps one of the upper-level boys in the school) who represents international communism controlling the entire world. The boys and girls wear uniforms, which are like those of the Young Pioneers (white shirts or blouses, black skirts or trousers (some short trousers included) with long brown stockings. Click on the image to see the second photograph.

We have little information at this time as to what life was like in Latvia after the Siviets seized power, but before the NAZIs invaded. There was for a short period a air of normality. Large-scale arrests and deportations did not occur immediately. We do note a Communist theme play put on at a secondary school. The image here comes from a rare, recently discovered Soviet propaganda film made after the Soviets had invaded and taken over the government of Latvia in 1940-41. The Communists of course seized control of the schools. A play was put on for the children in the school involving a central clown-like figure (perhaps one of the upper-level boys in the school) who represents international communism controlling the entire world (figure 1). We wonder just who was chosen for thgese parts. Were these students at the school whose parents were Communists? Thie central figure has a long nose, wears an elf-like hat, and shoes with extended and curled up pointed toes. He wears short trousers and long stockings to resemble medieval tights. The placard he holds above his head is a map of the world. The boys and girls in the schools are dressed in their Young Pioneer uniforms--dark pants or skirts, white shirts, and red neckerchiefs. The play also involves a procession of the Young Pioneers across the stage after they have paid symbolic homage to the figure holding the placard of the world (click on figure 1). The boys wear either long trousers or shorts with long stockings. The girls wear skirts with long stockings. Above the waist, the boys and girls are dressed almost identically--that is, white shirts with the red neck scarves. Latvia, which had originally been an independent state, was almost totally Sovetized until the occupying Nazis (who controlled Latvia during most of World War II) displaced them. When the NAZIs were expelled at the end of the war, Latvia again became part of the Soviet regime and remained so until the end of the Cold War.

Created: 7:42 PM 2/27/2005
Last updated: 5:21 PM 3/28/2008