Flowers Through Concrete: Explorations in Soviet Hippieland

Flowers through Concrete explores the lives and thoughts of Soviet hippies who created a version of Western counterculture in the face of disapproval and repression. It recounts a compelling story of survival against the odds and argues that the land of Soviet hippies and late socialism were not incompatible.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 496 pages
Publication date: 27 June 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Flowers through Concrete: Explorations in Soviet Hippieland is a captivating book that delivers on its promise. It takes readers on a journey into a world that few knew existed: the lives and thoughts of Soviet hippies, who, in the face of disapproval and repression, created a unique version of Western counterculture. These hippies, skilled in adaptation, manipulation, and shaping, crafted their own version of Western culture within the confines of their late socialist environment. As a quasi-guide into the underground hippieland, readers are firmly situated in the world of hippies, experiencing the realities of late Soviet society. The book offers an unusual history of the last Soviet decades, serving as a case study in the power of transnational youth cultures.

Flowers through Concrete recounts not only a compelling story of survival against the odds. Hippies faced harassment from police, had their hair cut by civilian guards, and were confined in psychiatric hospitals by doctors who believed non-conformism was a symptom of schizophrenia. They endured these hardships while advocating for their beliefs and seeking a sense of community.

What is particularly surprising is the argument that Flowers through Concrete advances: despite obvious antagonism, the land of Soviet hippies and the world of late socialism were not incompatible. In fact, Soviet hippies and late socialist reality meshed so well that a hostile yet stable relationship emerged. This relationship was, in many ways, symbiotic, as the hippies provided a source of cultural and social rebellion against the repressive regime, while the regime, in turn, benefited from the youth's energy and creativity.

However, the end of the Soviet hippie system came not from the KGB but from the arrival of capitalism in the 1990s. The transition to a market economy and the opening up of borders led to a influx of Western influences, which challenged the existing social and cultural norms. The hippie movement, with its emphasis on individualism, freedom, and non-conformism, was no longer compatible with the new economic and political realities. As a result, the Soviet hippie scene gradually faded away, leaving behind a legacy of cultural and social experimentation.

Flowers through Concrete is a valuable contribution to the study of Soviet history and culture. It provides a unique perspective on a marginalized group that challenged the dominant ideologies of the time. Through its detailed accounts and analysis, the book sheds light on the complexities of the Soviet system and the ways in which individuals and communities adapted to changing circumstances. It also raises important questions about the power of transnational youth cultures and the ways in which they shape societies.

In conclusion, Flowers through Concrete: Explorations in Soviet Hippieland is a must-read for anyone interested in the history, culture, and social dynamics of the Soviet Union. It offers a captivating journey into a world that few knew existed, providing a rich and nuanced understanding of a marginalized group that played a significant role in shaping the history of the late socialist era.

Weight: 748g
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192866066