Karelian branch of the society “USSR-Finland” in the soviet cultural diplomacy system of the 1960s: from intercultural dialogue to intercultural communication

The article studies the place and role of the Karelian branch of the society «USSR-Finland» in the construction of the intercultural dialogue between Karelia and Finland in the 1960s. The research is based on the wide range of sources found in the regional archive and periodical press. Consideration of exchanges in the field of culture, art and science between Karelia and Finland is impossible beyond the context of the tasks of expanding the influence of the USSR on the territory of the northern neighbor. Otherwise, it leads to the fact that the term "intercultural communication" is mistakenly used in a broader chronological framework. Meanwhile, the normalization of relations between the USSR and Suomi was hindered by the previous experience of military conflicts. Soviet cultural diplomacy since the late 1950s has set the task of overcoming the image of the enemy in the minds of the population of both states. The Finno-Ugric culture and the historical past of Karelia and Finland became the basis for intercultural dialogue and a way to expand the influence of the USSR on the territory of its northern neighbor. The leading writer of Karelia, A. N. Timonen made great efforts to actualize the Finns' interest in the cultural and historical heritage shared with the peoples of the USSR. The party and state authorities organized trips of creative figures to Finland, performances of theater and concert groups, sports competitions. The Karelian branch of the society «USSR-Finland» was created with the aim of promoting Soviet reality and the Soviet way of life. It was a public organization and did not have significant financial capabilities. Therefore, it could not fully integrate into the system of Soviet cultural diplomacy. The most popular form of work with the Finnish population has become personal connections of artists and cultural figures, as well as the organization of annual friendship holidays and intercultural exchanges. However, the forms and ways of presenting the Finno-Ugric culture in order to create a positive image of the USSR only in Suomi, the non-intensive presence of Finnish culture on the territory of Karelia allow us to characterize the cultural contacts of Karelia and Finland in the 1960s only as an intercultural dialogue. Karelian branch of the society «USSR-Finland» managed to expand the audience involved in events devoted to the friendship of the peoples of the USSR and Finland, to set up informal communication between cultural and artistic figures of Karelia and Finland. This made it possible to move from intercultural dialogue to intercultural communication in the 1970s. The authors declare no conflicts of interests.

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