Demonstration of Discursive Power: the Top Party Leadership of the USSR and Organizing the Celebration of May 1 and November 7 (1950–1960s)

Official political holidays in the Soviet Union during the 1950s and 1960s retained their core functions of presentation, consolidation, and mobilization, mirroring practices from the Stalin era. However, a notable shift was observed: the Politburo/Presidium of the Central Committee of the Communist Party increasingly prioritized discursive aspects over scripted elements in preparing for these celebrations. This involved a collegial process of editing and approving political discourse, including solemn speeches, orders, and festive appeals, as part of organizing significant events like military parades and mass demonstrations in Red Square on May 1 (International Workers' Day) and November 7 (Anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution). The study highlights how discursive power was demonstrated through these meticulous processes.

Popov, A. D., Pivovarov, N. Yu.,. (2021). Demonstration of Discursive Power: the Top Party Leadership of the USSR and Organizing the Celebration of May 1 and November 7 (1950–1960s). Historical Courier, (6), 59–73. https://doi.org/10.31518/2618-9100-2021-6-4