"Re-educate in the shortest time possible": schools, clubs and libraries in special settlements of the Komi autonomous region in the 1930-s

The paper deals with the organization of cultural, educational and ideological work in special settlements of the Komi Republic in the 1930s, which the dispossessed ("former kulaks") were deported to by administrative order for settling from the areas of complete collectivization. The main ideological task facing the cultural and educational institutions in the special settlements was the ideological re-education of the forced settlers in the workers of Communist labor. Most of the work on re-education was performed by school. Clubs and libraries also played an important role in the cultural and ideological work. In the course of work it was possible to identify the unique archival documents, revealing the work of the red corners, clubs, village libraries and reading-rooms and schools in special settlements. Attention is paid to the public tasks of cultural and educational institutions in the special settlements, formation of personnel, supplies of books, periodicals, radio broadcasting. Particular attention is paid to the work of schools and clubs. The conclusion is made that the enforcement measures in relation to special settlers and their labour exploitation were covered with slogans of reformation them in the “builders of socialism”.