The paper studies the sound image of Leningrad during the war and the blockade, its perception by the inhabitants of the city, the impact on consciousness and memory. War sounds, silence, city noise, salute firing largely determined the moral and psychological state of the Leningraders. The sirens sounds, whistling, ruptures of bombs and shells caused a strong psychological impact, an extremely tense emotional state. The sounds of war did not allowed to sleep, strengthens the fear and loneliness, nervous exhaustion, traumatized, thus depriving the man of the last forces. The howl and thunder had been replacing by “complete”, “terrible”, “deceptive” silence, which, in the absence of the usual urban noise, depress and frighten. City radio supported, and sometimes determined the emotional state of many of the blockade survivors. As the difficulties increase, especially malnutrition, and then hunger, the emotional reactions of the townspeople had become dulled, apathy arose. However, in spite of air raids, bombings, and bombardment, the Leningraders continued to work, study, and do their own business, which supported a sense of stability and even peaceful life. Acoustic space of besieged Leningrad had spawned at townspeople various, including musical associations. During the blockade, many townspeople acquired a useful, sometimes vital, skill in recognizing sounds. The paper is based on the evidence of Blockade's period (diaries, letters, official documents, periodical press materials), transcript of oral evidence, which appeared shortly after the blockade and the war, memories, interviews created later.
Translated title of the contribution "SYMPHONY OF WAR". SOUNDS AND SILENCE OF THE BESIEGED LENINGRAD IN THE PERCEPTION OF THE TOWNSPEOPLE
Original languageRussian
Pages (from-to)130-154
JournalПетербургский исторический журнал
Issue number3(23)
StatePublished - 2019

    Scopus subject areas

  • Arts and Humanities(all)

ID: 75729068