How was the siege of Leningrad in the late Stalinist Soviet Union thought of? How did Leningrad's war history come about? Historiography, literature and the Museum of Defense of Leningrad are at the center of this volume. With the help of an innovative actor-centered memory model, the author explores the relationship between political structures and the actions of individuals and analyzes the practice of commemoration as well as the forms and contents of historical images. Against the background of political developments such as the Ždanovšcina or the Leningrad affair, cultural and ideological influences become visible. The volume gives insights into the negotiation processes of official war commemoration. It turns out that even in late Stalinist society, individuals helped determine the content of remembrance. The volume shows the origin and original meaning of the historical images that are widespread in Russia today and is therefore indispensable for their understanding.