The activities of Karelian Union of Soviet writers in the 1930s

The article for the first time discusses the activities of Karelian union of Soviet writers in close connection with the political and ideological changes of the 1930s. In 1934-1936, some communists - political emigrants from America and Finland - formed the foundation of the organization. In 1937-1939 the Union provided support of high-priority to the Karelians and the bearers of folklore traditions who wrote in their mother tongue. At the beginning of the Second World War the crucial task of the Union was to form a group of skilled writers who knew the Finnish language. The author concludes that, despite the civic status of the organization, it acted in accordance with the hierarchical rules specific to a state institution.