Secret Soviet Factory's History Unveiled on Narva Stage
A new documentary play, 'Inner Climate,' is bringing the long-hidden history of Narva's secret 'Postbox No. 2' military factory to light, dramatizing interviews with former employees to explore the lasting societal impact of the clandestine Soviet-era institution.
- —A documentary play titled 'Inner Climate' by director Mari-Liis Lill is being staged in Narva and Kohtla-Järve, focusing on the history of a secret military factory in Narva known as 'Postbox No. 2'.
- —The play delves into the personal and societal impact of the former 'Baltiets' military plant, which was so secret it didn't appear on maps and was rumored to be a 'paradise on earth' for its workers.
- —Based on interviews with former factory employees, the production features Estonian actors portraying these individuals and exploring how the closed environment shaped the lives of those who moved to Narva from across the Soviet Union.
- —The 'Baltiets' building, which once housed the secret factory, now contains institutions like the 'Vaba Lava' Narva theater center and an Estonian National Broadcasting studio, with plans to convert the former office building into a hotel.
- —The play is scheduled to be performed at the 'Vaba Lava' Narva theater center on February 16 and at the Kohtla-Järve Culture Center on February 20.
Recap
The staging of 'Inner Climate' is more than a cultural event; it's an act of public memory reclamation for a community shaped by state-enforced secrecy. The play uses the personal testimonies of former workers to deconstruct the official silence surrounding the 'Baltiets' factory, examining how a clandestine military-industrial complex molded the city's identity. The physical transformation of the factory into a cultural hub underscores the narrative of a region grappling with its Soviet past and forging a new identity.