Alexandra Evdokimova: Das sowjetische Militärsportspiel »Zarnitsa« zwischen staatlichem und kindlichem Interesse, in: Jahrbuch für Historische Kommunismusforschung 2021. Berlin: Metropol Verlag, pp. 53-68.

Abstract

The military sports game »Zarnitsa« was introduced in the Soviet Union as a game for Pioneers – children aged 9 to 14 – in 1967. »Zarnitsa« included training activities, elements of military
education, and an outdoor team game that was the children’s favourite part of the whole process. Although patriotism and physical education, as well as development of discipline, willpower, and courage, were defined as the main goals of the game, »Zarnitsa« was not the usual approach to communist ideology and collectivism, in part because it lacked unified rules and play scenarios. »Zarnitsa« was always different depending on the game’s organisation, timing, and players. Even though the game had clear thematic boundaries, it could not be regulated throughout. That is why »Zarnitsa« was of interest not only for the state, but also for the children: it promised them adventurous experiences and constructed new childhood memories that were not necessarily shaped by state and military propaganda.

Über die Autorin

Alexandra Evdokimova, geb. 1996 in Moskau. 2013–2017 Bachelorstudium der Geschichtswissenschaft mit Schwerpunkt Deutsche Geschichte an der Staatlichen Lomonossow-Universität Moskau (MGU); 2017–2020 Masterstudium der Geschichtswissenschaft an der Freien Universität Berlin. Forschungsinteressen: Alltagsgeschichte und Geschichte der Kindheit sowie Kinder in der Sowjetunion, insbesondere Kinderspiele, Kindermedien und Erziehungspolitik.

Jahrbuch für Historische Kommunismusforschung