Rough description: A subbotnik refers to a voluntary community workday that originated in the Soviet Union. The term “subbotnik” is derived from the Russian word for Saturday, “subbota.” During a subbotnik, citizens would come together on weekends to engage in various community service activities, such as cleaning streets, planting trees, and working on public projects. These events were seen as a way for the community to contribute to the betterment of society and promote a sense of collective responsibility. Subbotniks were often organized by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) and aimed to foster a spirit of cooperation and solidarity among the people.

Specifically, from a book titled “Are Our Moscow Reporters Giving us the Facts About the USSR?”, I learned about a subbotnik that occurred on April 22, 1978 in celebration of Lenin’s birthday. At the Second Moscow Watch Factory, over 90 percent of the workers voluntarily participated in the subbotnik. The factory produced millions of watches annually, and on this day, the workers contributed their labor without expecting additional pay. The profits from the extra production went to a special fund for various societal projects like hospitals, sports complexes, and libraries.

A year later, during another subbotnik celebrating Lenin’s 109th birthday, the workers decided to donate 75 percent of the profits to Vietnam. The workers articulated a sense of solidarity and connection to the suffering of the Vietnamese people. It was emphasized that the common bond between the Soviet workers and the Vietnamese is the ideology of Leninism. Despite physical and cultural differences, the workers felt a deep connection, driven by the shared historical experiences of poverty and war.