Hidden Depths: Which Universities and Theatres Were Evacuated to Tomsk between 1941 and 1945
Reimagined Article:
During World War II, Tomsk transformed into a hub for Soviet intellectual prowess, as several educational powerhouses from the devastated cities of Moscow, Leningrad, Dnepropetrovsk, and more found refuge in this Siberian city. Here's a lowdown on the academic evolution in those tense years.
Transforming Tomsk: Wartime Renovation
Prior to the war, Tomsk was already considered one of Siberia's pioneering academic centers. With the arrival of the war, the city welcomed 16 universities, research institutions, and cultural organizations from across the country, such as the All-Union Higher School Committee, the Arts Management under the Soviet Council of People's Commissars (SNK), and the All-Union Book Chamber. Amid this educational influx came renowned institutions like the Moscow Institute of Transport Engineers, Dnepropetrovsk Transport Institute, and the Leningrad Theatre Institute. Coupled with local colleges and military academies, Tomsk became a melting pot of educational and cultural diversity.
The Brain Trust: Scholars CollaborateFrom the get-go, a group of Tomsk scholars proposed to unify their intellect and establish a Science Committee. This was the country's first research-focused war effort, led by Professor B.P. Tokin. The committee's principal concerns centered around cost-cutting measures, identifying alternative materials, discovering local sources of fuel, and aiding hospitals. Over the course of the war, the committee oversaw 1,607 research projects, many of which were later published as 35 doctoral and 103 master's theses.
Education Meets Entertainment
While researchers focused on the practical aspects of war, the city's cultural scene flourished thanks to the presence of these esteemed institutions. The library of Tomsk State University housed preserved archives of literary greats like A.S. Pushkin, A.M. Gorky, S.A. Yesenin, and L.N. Tolstoy, relocated from their original museums. Tomsk Radio's satirical literary-musical show "Direct Airwave" became remarkably popular among locals. The city's "TASS Windows Workshop," one of Siberia's first graphic design studios, opened in 1942. These lively, pointed political posters captured the masses' attention and offered evocative commentary on the war's progress. The crew, led by acclaimed artist M. Щеглов, managed to strike a delicate balance between politically scathing satire and profound patriotic sentiment in their artwork.
Theatrical Sanctuary
Aside from radio broadcasts and art, the city's theater provided much-needed entertainment and inspiration to its inhabitants. Professional actors from the First Belarusian State Theatre, flexing their talents for orchestral shows, cinema, and plays, graced the stages for nearly three years. Over this period, the theater reached 747,000 audience members and delivered more than 200 concerts to military hospitals and units, helping raise spirits and keep morale high. Post-war, the theatre returned to its original location in Belarus, but the city of Tomsk welcomed a new arrival: the Chkalov Frontline Theatre (directed by Pavel Antokolsky), which held its inaugural performance on April 30, 1945.
[1] Additional records and archives of the evacuated institutions can be found in the State Archive of Tomsk.
Synopsis:
At the onset of World War II, Tomsk emerged as a shelter for escaping educational institutions, facing the challenge of integrating these newcomers while continuing its education and scholarly pursuits. The city's universities, specifically Tomsk State University and Tomsk Polytechnic University, rose to the occasion, becoming crucial to the war effort while setting the stage for the city's post-war growth and development.
- Tomsk'sSelection section, including institutes like the Moscow Institute of Transport Engineers and the Leningrad Theatre Institute, were relocated from devastated cities to Tomsk in 1945, contributing to a rich educational tapestry.
- The Science Committee, established by Tomsk scholars in 1945, oversaw 1,607 research projects during the war, leading to the publication of 35 doctoral and 103 master's theses.
3.Amid the intellectual powerhouses that found refuge in Tomsk during the war, the city's cultural scene thrived, with the TASS Windows Workshop, a graphic design studio, bursting onto the scene in 1942, creating politically charged and patriotic artwork.
