page_title: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic
section_title: Cultural life
hierarchical_section_title: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic / History / Cultural life
caption_attribution_description: Soviet statue on the Green Bridge in Vilnius
context_page_description: The Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, also known as Soviet Lithuania or Lithuania, was one of the constituent republics of the USSR between 1940–1941 and 1944–1990. After 1946, its territory and borders mirrored those of today's Republic of Lithuania, with the exception of minor adjustments of the border with Belarus.
  During World War II, the previously independent Republic of Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet army on 16 June 1940, in conformity with the terms of the 23 August 1939 Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, and established as a puppet state on 21 July. Between 1941 and 1944, the German invasion of the Soviet Union caused its de facto dissolution. However, with the retreat of the Germans in 1944–1945, Soviet hegemony was re-established and continued for forty-five years. As a result, many western countries continued to recognize Lithuania as an independent, sovereign de jure state subject to international law, represented by the legations appointed by the pre-1940 Baltic states, which functioned in various places through the Lithuanian Diplomatic Service.
  On 18 May 1989, the Lithuanian SSR declared itself to be a sovereign state, though still part of the USSR.
context_section_description: The Soviets assiduously promoted "people's art": every exhibition, book, movie, play, museum, and the education system had to be guided by the ideological context and be in keeping with socialist-oriented art forms. From 1950, singing festivals would be staged on a regular basis, for the first time since the 1930s, featuring Lithuanian folk songs and music that did not oppose Soviet ideology. People's artists had to portray an imaginary perfect life of kolkhoz farmers and workers, their fight against the bourgeoisie for social justice, and their values of industriousness, honour, justice, integrity, and loyalty to the ideals of communism. The most meritorious people's artists would be awarded the title of Emeritus People's Artist. By the 1950s, some 500 monuments, sculptures and pieces of architecture relating to the independence period were demolished and replaced with ones dedicated to Soviet ideological, cultural, and artistic figures. The political warming that started after the death of Stalin brought forth a new generation of writers. In their work, they dealt with emotions and certain aspects of Lithuanian history. Music also reflected a strong historical theme and issues of national identity. From the late 1950s the Lithuanian theater industry was one of the Soviet Union's strongest, introducing many new names.
caption: Soviet statue in Vilnius before its removal, depicting the working class
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