A fascinating insight into cultural life in the Soviet Union in the 1940s and ‘50s has been uncovered by historians from Cambridge University.
Transcripts of deliberations between members of the Stalin Prize Committee have been poured over to see how the contraints of socialism affected the artistic community. The prize was awarded annually, and the winner was often decided by the dictator himself.
Researchers have discovered a particularly lively discussion one year over whether the composer Dmitri Shostakovich should win, given his habit of promoting his students who often didn’t conform to the system.
Read more at University of Cambridge