International Town Twinning: Cultural Diplomacy and Grassroots Activism in the Cold War
PhD project
My study examines town twinning between Moscow and East Berlin from 1956-1970s as a facet of Soviet cultural diplomacy during the Cold War. It explores how these partnerships facilitated grassroots involvement in diplomacy and cross-border communication. The study aims to understand the influence of such initiatives on local communities, the difference in practices within the Eastern bloc, their overall impact on international relations, and to understand the role of citizen participation and trans-local connections in shaping international relations and cultural exchange.
During her stay at ZZF Potsdam Elizaveta Zubiuk is Visiting Fellow in Department II: Knowledge – Economy – Politics .