Our Soviet Union (USSR)

[Red Angel]

So, maybe that's the direction you could go in? It'd certainly be unusual.

That's pretty much how I see it since we're not as censorship as OTL and not under Stalin's/Trotsky's party, maybe we could do both since it may help bring a socialist type of fantasy.

Also we already plan on using hemp as a fabric material so... yeah but good to know though.

 

[Ammonios]

That's pretty much how I see it since we're not as censorship as OTL and not under Stalin's/Trotsky's party, maybe we could do both since it may help bring a socialist type of fantasy.

Also we already plan on using hemp as a fabric material so... yeah but good to know though.

Hello,

Seven Soviet sci-fi films everyone should see

From Tarkovsky to the ‘godfather of Star Wars’, The Calvert Journal looks back at the finest examples of Soviet futurism

www.theguardian.com

Top 10 GREATEST Soviet sci-fi writers

Below is Russia Beyond’s pick of the best authors and their novels that have stood the test of time and are available in English.

www.rbth.com

Clarkesworld Magazine - Science Fiction & Fantasy

Clarkesworld Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazine and Podcast. This page: A Brief History of Russian Science Fiction by Alex Shvartsman

clarkesworldmagazine.com

Science Fiction and Fantasy From Behind the Iron Curtain

Science fiction/fantasy, often shorthanded to SFF, is a genre of media concerned with supernatural, fantastical, or other elements beyond our current

museumstudiesabroad.org

Russian Magic Tales from Pushkin to Platonov

For fans of fairy tales and the literary supernatural: …

www.goodreads.com

 

[CountofDooku]

Opinions on some points gleamed from new (to me) messages.

re: RPGs
One pretty vital detail is that the USSR of OTL was much more favorable to science fiction than fantasy. When Zinaida Bobyr made the very first Russian translation of Lord of the Rings into Russian in 1966, she added a framing device featuring characters lifted directly from Stanisław Lem's Eden where the alien "ring" artefact was studied and concluded to be some sort of a device that contained information from a different civilisation. This framing included a letter allegedly written by Tolkien and another Tolkien allegedly received from his friend who worked at "Problem Research Institute in Derbyshire." The translation wasn't published even in that way, as the book was thought of as "anti-Soviet". (Russian magazine Mir Fantastiki offers a thorough article on Bobyr's translation, including the framing parts she wrote that had not been published anywhere until this point; link in Russian).

Science fiction, meanwhile, was widely published and promoted, with USSR being one of the few places which downplay the "sci-fi ghetto" trope. The works of Jules Verne and H. G. Wells were very popular in the USSR. Yakov Perelman, writer of popular science books that have always been selling very well and still can be found in bookstores, had dedicated some of his work to the idea of space flight long before it was realized, and it was also a part of the House of Entertaining Science that was his concept (Russian Wikipedia article; it's called a museum there, but, judging from Grigoriy Mishkevich's biography of Perelman, it was much more interactive than your usual museum of the time).

So, maybe that's the direction you could go in? It'd certainly be unusual.

re: hemp
Russia has a long history with hemp, actually. Hemp is very versatile and can be produced into many different things aside from drugs. But if it is made into a legal drug, it could be promoted as an alternative to tobacco, since some studies claim that it's way less damaging to one's health. Imagine Belomorkanal marijuana.

And, hey, as long as the heracleum fiasco does not happen, I'm fine with various agricultural developments.

I can actualy see TTL Soviet Union spin the book and the story (both Hobbit and Lord of the Rings) to fit with our ideas and ideology, rural farm people saving the world from a imperialist, expansionist imperial force by joining with other fellow threatened groups and people, just switch some of the Geography in the books around and just like that, evil industrialized Mordor and their barbaric hordes are to the West, were the Reactionary, Colonial Empires of Europe are located ...

 

[VVVVVV]

I all for legalizing/allowing weed into the medical market but we should work on reducing the addictions so we don't run into the problem along with making sure none of the cartel/criminal made weed doesn't come inside our nation so it doesn't become a problem for us as it does for the US.

I was thinking we could also have Rostov-on-Don as another tourist city since it's next to the Black Sea and we could create and use a tourist variant of the airships that travels to different cities and tourist locations for those who wants to be in the air for much longer and enjoys the view from the sky.

Whatever happened to the capital city we were building? I imagine one day that'll be a huge draw for tourists

 

[CountofDooku]

Whatever happened to the capital city we were building? I imagine one day that'll be a huge draw for tourists

Clarly and we will implement that in some of the building plans for it, but till it is finished in all it's glory will take time and until then other major allready existing cities and areas can become tourist centers as well. I imagine the Black Sea being ideal for sun bathing and beach tourism?

 

[Screwhorn77]

I can actualy see TTL Soviet Union spin the book and the story (both Hobbit and Lord of the Rings) to fit with our ideas and ideology, rural farm people saving the world from a imperialist, expansionist imperial force by joining with other fellow threatened groups and people, just switch some of the Geography in the books around and just like that, evil industrialized Mordor and their barbaric hordes are to the West, were the Reactionary, Colonial Empires of Europe are located ...

Funny that you specifically say "industrialized", considering The Last Ringbearer is a thing... The Hobbit was pretty easy to get a hold of in the USSR, though, there's even a famous set of illustrations which depicts Bilbo resembling actor Yevgeny Leonov.

Spoiler

(Leonov, reportedly, really enjoyed the illustrations.)

On that note, averting the embarassing war on "chukovshchina", when anything whimsical, magical or fantastical was vigorously stomped out as unfit for future members of socialist society, would be a huge plus for that particular direction.

 

[WotanArgead]

Funny that you specifically say "industrialized", considering The Last Ringbearer is a thing... The Hobbit was pretty easy to get a hold of in the USSR, though, there's even a famous set of illustrations which depicts Bilbo resembling actor Yevgeny Leonov.

Spoiler

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At the same time, there is our colleague who directly states that this is a very reactionary work.

I note that in the USSR there was very little "Traditional Fantasy". The closest was positioned and described as fairy tales.

 

[CountofDooku]

The aid given diplomatically to the Chinese, aiding them in the Shanghai Crisis and supporting the League of Nations in an evacuation of all foreign citizens and also back Chinese Claim on these lands while not trying to anger British forces, or the British Empire at the same time was welcomed with open arms in China, as Wang and many saw it as an acknowledgment of Chinese ambitions and claims against unequal treaties, stolen port cities and other goals. It would cement the so called Wang foreign diplomacy, when China attempted to use the Europeans and Soviet Union Powers against one another to reclaim all lost Chinese territories and lands over time, mainly by diplomatic and peaceful means, but sometimes also with military pressure. At the same time the Soviet Union increased it’s hemp and other agrarian production, partly to also make cheaper clothes from doing so for the masses.

Simultaneously the rise of Science Fiction Literature and Ideas, supported by a Futurist Utopian view for the future were also paired with other famous weeks besides Jules Verne or H.G. Wells, when Tolkien was translated into Russian. Like all foreign books some alterations were made to the Hobbit (also known as the Peasant) and the Lord of the Ring (also known as Lord of Chains, or Breaker of the Chainring). Many included some geographical changes and resignations to better fit the understanding of the Soviet Readers. In these worlds the Hobbits were Kulaks from a more rural, simple and satisfying way of life, opposing the authoritarian, reactionary power of Mordor, which stood for all king of Monarchic and Religious Totalitarian Rule and like the enemies of the Great War was located to the West of Zapredelye (the Shire). Depending on the version the One Ring was a Magical, or Alien Artifact device which allowed for the mind control, brainwashing and enslavement of all people, just like old aristocratic and religious rulers would and only the strong minded, Soviet Ideology fearing people were capable of withstanding it’s brainwashing, as well as it’s alluring to use it to take dictatorial powers themselves and rule like the old Reactionary Powers had in a new dictatorship. But while Soviet Writers, like Yajoy Perelman created their own works, and encouraged interaction in places like the House of Entertaining Science, many Soviet fans of these genres would began a new fashion and ideal, that they called Budushcheye Zhizn (Futurist Living), or Vpered Zhizn (Forward Living), something Westerners in parts would call Cosplaying, Role Playing Gaming and similar things, when hardcore fans of such works of books and games not only would see them as hobbies, but dress up as their idols and live in the courageous and ambitious ideals of their heroes to oppose the Evils of the Real World, the Reactionary Monarchic, Theocratic, Imperial and Colonial Despot, Tyrants and other evils who in their lust for power had corrupted mankind's minds and enslaved their fellow men in their lust for power.

Meanwhile trained athletes in South Africa are hired by major companies to stake claims during the diamond rush. In Honshu Kapan, in the areas of Toyooka and Mineyama the Kita Tango Earthquake of 1927 kills around 2,930 people. Samuel Roxy Rothafel opens the Roxy Theatre in New York City. Juan T. Trippe founds the Oan American World Airways. In Nanking during the Nanking Incident six foreigners are killed as Chinese Communist Party and Kuomintang forces overrun foreign consulates, forcing the US Navy and British Royal Navy to fire shells, which result in the fearful despersing of the crowd during the League of Nation backed evacuation of the foreign quarters of the city. In Daytona Beach, Florida, Henry Segraye manages to break the land speed record while driving the Sunbeam 1000 hp.

 

[CountofDooku]

No major vote here this week, unless there are suggestions?

Edit: Also Our German Century and Dynasties is available.

 

[Beaux Arts & Crafts]

Hobbit (also known as the Peasant, or the Kulak)

Um, isn't Kulak the term for a wealthy peasant farmer that was rich enough to own land and hire out labor and became seen as class enemies against poorer farmers in the Soviet Union OTL? I wouldn't assume they would be as targeted in ITTL but still, in terms of propaganda it would probably be more effective to portray the Hobbits as poorer underdogs no?

 

[CountofDooku]

Um, isn't Kulak the term for a wealthy peasant farmer that was rich enough to own land and hire out labor and became seen as class enemies against poorer farmers in the Soviet Union OTL? I wouldn't assume they would be as targeted in ITTL but still, in terms of propaganda it would probably be more effective to portray the Hobbits as poorer underdogs no?

Wasn't quit sure if the term was right, is there a better one?

 

[Beaux Arts & Crafts]

Wasn't quit sure if the term was right, is there a better one?

OTL Soviet terminology referred to peasants into 3 categories
1. Bednyak (poor)
2. Serednyak (middle-income)
3. Kulak (rich, land-owning)
also just another note because i reverse image searched that first picture and realized the wonderful world of the Russian LOTR movie, I wonder if in this Soviet translation of LOTR would actually have Tolkien's approval, considering he really cared about the language of his books and probably wouldn't take too kindly to the Soviet attempts at localization

 

[Screwhorn77]

Wasn't quit sure if the term was right, is there a better one?

I don't think "Hobbit" needs a name change. If you're icky about "Lord" in "Lord of the Rings", there's an option to go with "Tale of the Ring" like Zinaida Bobyr did.

also just another note because i reverse image searched that first picture and realized the wonderful world of the Russian LOTR movie, I wonder if in this Soviet translation of LOTR would actually have Tolkien's approval, considering he really cared about the language of his books and probably wouldn't take too kindly to the Soviet attempts at localization

Good question. There's actually no Russian translation of LOTR that absolutely everyone accepts, it's a massive source of flame wars among Russian Tolkienists.

 

[CountofDooku]

also just another note because i reverse image searched that first picture and realized the wonderful world of the Russian LOTR movie, I wonder if in this Soviet translation of LOTR would actually have Tolkien's approval, considering he really cared about the language of his books and probably wouldn't take too kindly to the Soviet attempts at localization

I doubt it as Tolkien would dislike any alteration and reimagining of his work to fit a certain narrative I belive.

I don't think "Hobbit" needs a name change. If you're icky about "Lord" in "Lord of the Rings", there's an option to go with "Tale of the Ring" like Zinaida Bobyr did.

Good question. There's actually no Russian translation of LOTR that absolutely everyone accepts, it's a massive source of flame wars among Russian Tolkienists.

No the Lord is fine that's the Evil Sauron in the Russian version and all Lords and Aristrocratic rulers are evil in Soviet Russia, I thought mroe abotu the idea of having Frodo be referred to in one of the translated titles as the Breaker of the Ring that enslaves people, since he's the hero and soem might want to have that right on the nose?

 

[Analytical Engine]

In Soviet Russia, the Ring bears You.

 

[CountofDooku]

Little Note; will be on holiday in two weeks, for around two to three weeks, so no major updates around time from me here anywhere.

But seriously I had hoped to finish off some of my smaller AU/TL before and expand upon a few ones, but nwo it looks only one will wrap up before and I allready have a few more planend in general ...

Would anyone mind a hiatus for the Our Stuff until the End of the Vacation and in return I get a bit more of the overall AU/TL out of the way until then?
Naturally this would mean upon return I would trow in a few additional chapters as compensation ;D

 

[arrestedcorn]

Beside economic, industrial, trade and military cooperation, it was also a question how direct and how much such local socialist and communist parties should be supported with finances, propaganda and even guided, or directly controlled from Moscow overall, like it was the chase with the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) or the rivaling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and left-leaning Kuomintang (KMT) in China. Clearly if they all could cooperate and unite their affords under the Communist International (Comintern), the Global Revolution would be closer to total victory, but doing so might alienate and frighten other parties to form counter-coalitions against the growing influence of socialist and communist Comintern aligned parties.

The Left-KMT and CCP should cooperate. If the Left-KMT is on our side, the CCP will not be so easy to purge, and Chang's adventures will come to an end relatively quickly. Don't bother supporting the CPGB, they are not that popular.

 

[arrestedcorn]

Well we could support Turkey's socialist/communist parties so we can have access to both the straits and be able to use their docks since their also rebuilding.

That could potentially backfire as Turkey led by Mustafa Kemal would think the USSR is aiding "insurgents" that seek to usurp the rightful gov. Just keeping the relations friendly between the two should be fine.

 

[arrestedcorn]

New Silk Road Agreement Map:

this would definitely counter the British Empire. the British empire is the main enemy here. I would recommend WW2 be of against the British empire.

 

[arrestedcorn]

It will especialy long tearm, no so much problems like under planned economy, no Holodomor and other similar major problems created by the misplanning and authoritarian dictatorship like that.

BTW, I think the USSR should industrialize the Urals and Siberia. There are immense benefits. Not only are there resources, the Luftwaffe, (or any great power really) cannot reach that far.