On creation of Gorky Central Park for Culture and Leisure. Sociological aspect

Abstract

The article attempts to think through creation history of Gorky Central Park for Culture and Leisure during the “cultural revolution” in the Soviet Union. The author describes Moscow in the 1920–1930s as “peasant metropolis” which made a request for the development of urban culture. The leadership of the country approved the concept of parks as “cultural complexes”. The result of a wide public discussion was opening of Gorky Central Park for Culture and Leisure in Krymsky Val in 1928. First Park visitors were not only outside observers, but also active participants in entertainment, educational and sports programs. The author shows that during the 1930s the Park conducted regular social surveys of visitors. The purpose of the surveys was to study the social composition, as well as the needs and interests of visitors. According to the results of those surveys events held in it were modified, privileges were established for certain categories of the population (for example, Stakhanovites and labor overachivers).

The conclusion of the article claims that creation of Gorky Central Park for Culture and Leisure as a large social experiment was the product of merging the state policy of “cultural revolution”, new trends in the urban planning and greening, and a powerful social demand from the citizens.