A neo-narodnik in the country building socialism. V. F. Koptev — pages of little-known fate

Abstract

The transformation of the cultural sphere in the locality is the theme of local history. We will study the 1920s despite the fact that the transformations began after the victory of representatives of the Soviet government in the Civil War in Russia. We consider local history as a component of the country’s history, identifying regional features of the process in a specific chronological period. The result of the study is the identification of the role of supporters of non-proletarian parties in the cultural and educational activities of the Soviet government in settlements. One of the participants in this process was a neo-narodnik by ideology, and a teacher by vocation, V. F. Koptev. Special attention is paid to the cooperation of the school with the «Society of Former Political Prisoners and Exiled Settlers» which made it possible to receive financial assistance for the construction of a new school building, the opening of a museum, the creation of a reading room, and the allocation of scholarships for children in need. Students had the opportunity to visit Omsk, Leningrad, Moscow. Children could get acquainted with the participants of the «Tchaikovsky case», writers, artists, actors.