A ‘stiliaga’ – the Soviet Union hipster of the 1940s and 50s.
I came across two very interesting articles this week pertaining to elements of Ukraine’s past and present culture.
The first, “A foreign affair: On the great Ukrainian bride hunt,” published in Harper’s Magazine, follows a man who goes undercover to learn more about the men that come to Ukraine in search of women to wed.
The second, “The Western Brand: The socio-cultural revolution of soviet mods against boring clothes, music and behavior in the USSR,” from The Ukrainian Week, explores the subculture of the stiliagi, a group of young, fashion-forward, progressive-minded individuals in the 1940s and 50s who copied the lifestyles of young people in the west.
I recommend checking out both.
That’s cool, Chris. Have you seen the movie ‘Stilyagi’? It’s the only Hollywood-style Russian musical I’ve seen. The songs are all covers of popular Russian rock songs from the ’80s/’90s. It’s pretty good–check it out!
Yeah, I’ve seen it. It’s not bad. Also, I was going to tell you, Pat, that I watched “Igla” – The Needle – the other day when I had some free time. It was pretty good. I like Tsoy.
I am a university student doing a study on the sitliagi. I was wondering if you had the source for that picture? (date taken etc), it would really add to the project i am doing if i could use that photograph.
Thanks very much.
Hi Sam. I can’t remember where I found it. I’ll see if I can located and pass it on to you.
Thanks very much Christopher, that will be really appreciated.