Sailing Beyond the Iron Curtain: Visual Tales of Lithuanian Fishermen in Africa and Asia

Paper Abstract: The history of maritime connections between Soviet Republics and Global South countries remains largely unexplored. This research aims to address this gap by exploring the encounters between Soviet Lithuanian fishermen and local communities in African and Asian countries, as depicted in Lithuanian visual culture. By examining representations targeted at both adults and youth, the study reveals the complexities of these cross-cultural interactions.

For Soviet Lithuania, fishermen’s voyages served as a tool to promote official ideology. Documentaries portrayed these sailors as strong, benevolent figures warmly welcomed by locals, a depiction aligned with the political agenda and distributed widely through both print and film. Working on ships was one of the few opportunities to see the world beyond the Iron Curtain, and doctors, writers, journalists, and photographers seized this chance, embarking on maritime journeys to China, India, Benin, Nigeria or Cameroon. Their experiences were recounted in children’s and youth magazines, contributing to the era’s cultural discourse. These journeys, however, were closely monitored by the KGB, adding complexity to the study of these maritime exchanges.

This research seeks to uncover the nuanced narratives surrounding Soviet Lithuanian fishermen’s interactions with the Global South. By analyzing adult and youth-oriented visual depictions, it aims to deepen our understanding of how these connections were shaped, presented, and perceived within Lithuanian culture. This study hopes to enrich broader discussions on the historical and cultural significance of global socialist maritime interactions.