In my Master’s thesis I analyse the leisure time of industry workers of the Litostroj factory in the 1970s. Litostroj’s workers spent their leisure time in different ways, but a common aspect was they all spent it very actively. When planning their day and leisure time workers had to consider many different factors, such as gender, their place of living, their daily tasks, for example housekeeping and cooking, and their individual needs and interests. Our research concluded that the factory had an important role in the employees’ planning of their leisure time, as Litostroj offered them the possibility to join different sports activities, cultural and art clubs, as well as the possibility to continue their education or attend additional classes, such as language classes. Moreover, the factory organised trips across the country and abroad, as well as summer vacations in factory owned summer houses. Workers who were living in the city were more likely to join the activities and clubs operated by the factory and were also more likely to spend their summer vacations by the sea. Litostroj’s workers that were living in the countryside spent eight hours a day working in the factory, two hours or more driving to and from work, and many of them also had to take care of their small farms in the afternoon. If they had any time left, they spent their leisure time resting, making short trips to nearby places and sometimes taking a few days off to go to seaside locations. Litostroj’s workers spent their free time carrying out daily tasks and if they had any time left, they dedicated it to resting and recharging in nature, exploring new places, to their education and to activities aimed at personal growth.
|
