The figure of Iosif Stalin has cast a long shadow over twentieth century history and, over a decade since the fall of the Soviet Union, his impact continues to dominate many social and political agendas. In the cultural sphere Stalin’s influence, both during and after his lifetime, was pervasive and has most frequently been described as fundamentally negative. Reputedly one of the chief authors of the doctrine of Socialist Realism and a staunch opponent of modernism, Stalin is often regarded as having held the Soviet Union back, and as responsible for a lost generation of cultural development, experimentation and production. In March 2003 it will be fifty years since the death of Stalin. This marks an interesting juncture at which to explore precisely what has been and, indeed, what might continue to be the cultural legacy of Stalin and Stalinism. This conference aims to explore the notion of Stalin’s legacy both during and after his lifetime within the broad cultural arena.

Contributions are welcomed which will consider Stalin’s cultural legacy in a wide range of fields including, painting, cinema, photography, theatre, literature, music and popular culture. Please sent an abstract of c.200 words by 16th December 2002 to: