OSTARBEITERS LETTERS AS A SOURCE OF MICRO SOCIAL HISTORY AND THE HISTORY OF EVERYDAY LIFE OF THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR (ON MATERIALS OF THE COLLECTION OF OSTARBEITERS LETTERS IN THE FUNDS OF THE STATE ARCHIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF CRIMEA)

Abstract

The sources of personal origin are among the most important documents in the study of the experience of Soviet citizens at forced labor in Germany during Great Patriotic war. The article features the source analysis of perhaps the most representative on the territory of Russia collection of Crimea citizens' letters deported to forced labor on the territory of the Third Reich. The collection is kept at the State Archive of the Republic of Crimea in 1986, and to date has not been systematically described. The letters of Eastern workers - natives of the Crimea -helps recreate the moral character of a person in captivity, as no other source provides insights into his inner world, to show moral values. At the same time, being the product of individual mental activity the letters are reveal typical attitudes and moods of Eastern workers. In the letters one can find a wide range of material about the reflection of the perception of space-time and activity situations, fixing attention and selective memory at certain events of life in Germany; a reflection of the value-motivational sphere, principles and beliefs, needs and interests of the inhabitants of the Crimea caught up in forced labor in the Reich.