From German Koenigsberg to Soviet Kaliningrad: Appropriating Place and Constructing Identity

The book explores how the Soviet Union transformed the German East Prussian city of Königsberg into Kaliningrad, a model Soviet city, by expelling German people and repopulating it with settlers from elsewhere in the Soviet Union. However, over time, many of the model Soviet buildings were uncompleted, and the citizens came to view themselves as different from other Soviet and Russian citizens.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 172 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

After capturing and annexing the German East Prussian city of Königsberg in 1945 and renaming it Kaliningrad, the Soviet Union embarked on a remarkable project to transform the city into a model of Soviet modernity. This comprehensive book delves into the intricate details of this transformation, exploring how the Soviets expelled all the remaining German people from the city, repopulated it with settlers from other parts of the Soviet Union, and systematically destroyed key German buildings. In their place, they began constructing a new Soviet city, a physical manifestation of the societal changes brought about by communism.

However, as time passed, it became evident that many of the model Soviet buildings in Kaliningrad remained uncompleted. This was partly due to the economic constraints and resource limitations of the Soviet era, but it was also influenced by the citizens' growing sense of identity and regional pride. Aware of their Polish and Lithuanian neighbors to the east and west, as well as their place in the wider Baltic region, the people of Kaliningrad began to view themselves as distinct from other Soviet and Russian citizens.

The book concludes by assessing the present developments as the people of Kaliningrad increasingly rediscover the city's pre-Soviet past and forge a new identity for themselves on their own terms. It sheds light on the complex interplay between history, culture, and identity, and highlights the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit in the face of change. This captivating exploration of Kaliningrad's transformation provides valuable insights into the broader context of Soviet history and the ongoing process of nation-building in post-World War II Europe.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367621704