Images of the Industrial Frontier in the Context of the Energetics’ Development in Eastern Siberia

Abstract

The article focuses on the images of the industrial frontier in the context of hydropower development in Eastern Siberia during the Soviet period. Despite the rich experience domestic researchers have accumulated, they have overlooked several aspects of Eastern Siberia’s industrial development. The article explores these images as depicted in Soviet literature, journalism, poetry, and fine art from the various periods. These depictions include the study and construction of the Angara and Yenisei cascade of hydroelectric power plants, reflecting the Soviet state’s ideological attitudes. The authors conclude that the images of the industrial frontier, while varying in character, shared many common features across different periods. Furthermore, the Soviet leadership used the creation of these multiple images to solve several important national tasks. These tasks ranged from attracting labor resources to Siberian construction sites to fully integrating the East Siberian region into the life of the Soviet state and society. Teachers and students interested in the industrial development of Eastern Siberia in the twentieth century will find the article relevant.