The Solovetsky camp, which soon became a dominant force in the northern region after its establishment, was characterized not only by a strict detention regime and remote location from civilization, but also by its unique structure. It consisted of a vast administrative sector, six branches, and several dozens of work trips.

The first "correctional labor" institution in the USSR, the Solovets Special Purpose Camp (ELEPHANT), was established by the OGPU in 1923 and for many years served as a testing ground for methods of forced labor on a large number of prisoners. One of its innovations was its extensive cultural and scientific activities aimed at promoting "new" Soviet values.

In order to understand the reasons behind these differences, we need to look at the statistics on prisoners, and more specifically, the reasons why they were sent to Solovki. During the first decade of Soviet rule, the majority of prisoners at Solovki were educated individuals, often from different backgrounds, such as monks from the former Solovetsky Monastery or political prisoners sent to the island in large groups. The establishment of the Solovetsk camp began in the summer of 1923, when 100 prisoners were transferred from Arkhangelsk, followed by another 150 socialist and anarchist prisoners a month later. By September, the number of prisoners had already exceeded 3,000, including over 2,700 men and 305 women, with more than 300 political prisoners, 2,550 counter-revolutionary prisoners, and criminals, as well as 200 former members of the Cheka. Additionally, it's worth noting that Solovki was the largest detention center for literate members of the clergy.. In this article, we will provide a summary of the information we have gathered and discuss the various aspects of Solovetsky, including its science (laboratories and research societies), culture (art, schools, and educational programs), theater, local history museum, and library.

The outlet for many prisoners from the intelligentsia was the SOK (Solovetsky Society of Local Lore), formed at the camp. The camp administration welcomed the prisoners' initiative to explore the Solovetsky Islands, as it was beneficial for the development of the camp economy.

The Solovetskoye Society was divided into several departments, including chemical exploration, a chemical laboratory, marsh commission, lake exploration, fishing, pest control station, insect and animal collections, agrometeorology station, dendrometric nursery, archaeological studies, and others.

Solovetskoe Society for Local Lore became an important institution in Soviet camps. It conducted scientific research and surveys. Due to the importance of ongoing research and lack of qualified researchers, permission was given to involve interested individuals, prisoners and guards, in society work.

Each department focused on specific tasks and achieved impressive results. Some projects included creating maps of swamp acidity, identifying deposits of apople-diatom mud used in construction and as fuel, breeding new fodder plants, and collecting extensive information about local flora and fauna. The aim of the society was to lay the scientific foundation for the rational use of natural, historical and cultural wealth on the Solovetsky islands, study them and take care of preservation. The society consisted of several departments, including historical, archaeological, natural sciences and criminology, which were further divided into sections. Several auxiliary institutions affiliated with society also existed: a chemical lab, bio garden, agronomy office, crim lab, arboreum, fur farm and nature preserve in Long Bay.

The Council on Local Lore played a significant role in protecting the historical, cultural and natural values of Solovki. Over the years, it published 23 scientific collections and three monographs demonstrating the high level of research conducted by its members. Prominent scientists of this period include N. N. Vinogradov, the head of the camp museum, A. I. Anisimov, restorer and art critic, M. I. Nekrasov zoologist, G. I. Polyakov ornithologist and A. A Grabatkin hydrobiologist. Their work not only enriched our knowledge of the islands, but also contributed to preserving their unique natural and cultural heritage. Thus, the Solovetsky Local Lore Society became an integral part of the scientific community actively participating in studying and protecting the region's natural resources and cultural treasures.

In 1925, the grand opening of the museum was held in the building of the Annunciation Church. The exhibits collected by prisoners during scientific expeditions to islands and monastic shrines were part of the exhibition. Until 1939, relics of Saints Zosima, Savva, and Herman were kept in the altar of Annunciation Church, which was open to visitors, including prisoners, soldiers, and ships' crews that visited Solovki.

During the early 1930s, when local history was suppressed in the USSR, the museum was closed due to its non-compliance with the new standards of Soviet history. Since November 1933, the penal department of Belbaltkombinat was located on the Solovetsky Islands. The SLUG (Solovetsky Labor Unit for GULAG) officially disbanded in December 1934. The remaining camp guards, management staff, and property transferred to Belbaltlag. By 1940, the JUICE Museum was finally closed.

Libraries in Solovki began to emerge as one of the forms of cultural and educational work among prisoners only after the establishment of OGPU (Main Administration of State Security) in the region. From 1920 until October 1924, when northern camps were located on Solovyki Island, there were no libraries available for prisoners. The proletarian cultural and educational organizations played a significant role in educating working class with the aim to prepare them to participate in government and contribute to "final triumph of socialist revolution".

The library was an important part of cultural life in Solovki. It was created to provide basic books for prisoners involved in labor. The educational program of the camp also influenced it. The library at Solovki was founded in the early 1920s, and was located in the first ward of the Kremlin. Only a limited number of prisoners had access to it, usually those who worked as camp staff, had light duties, or were directly involved with the library.

In 1924, the library's collection began to grow as the camp's press slowly informed readers. Prisoners in categories A and B were given the right to visit the library if they performed hard work. Books for the collection came from domestic and international publishers as well as old books that were no longer in circulation.

The library offered books on a wide range of subjects, including non-fiction, detective novels, novels, magazines and newspapers. Soviet literature was also available at the Solovki library, allowing prisoners to study works by Lermontov, Gogol, Turgenev, Chekhov and Tolstoy. Prisoners had access to literary journals and newspapers such as "Pravda", "Izvestia", "Krasnaya Niva" and "Red Fleet".

Despite the difficult conditions that prisoners were in, they showed great interest in reading. Reading allowed them not only to gain new knowledge, but also to strengthen their mental health and find solace during difficult times. Prisoners treated books with respect, maintaining cleanliness and order. They regularly recorded their impressions of books in a journal.

The library at the Solovki camp was one of the few places where prisoners could feel free. It gave them the chance to travel back in time, experience literature and grow as individuals. Today, the library at Solovk is part of a remarkable history and culture that is still studied, debated and condemned.

The brass band of the Solovetsky Special Purpose Camp, founded in the 1920s, was not the only outlet for prisoners' creativity. The camp also had a central theatre, which began operations in September 1923 and remained active for over 15 years. I. A. Armanov, a prisoner and a provincial actor, was the first director of this theatre. From the autumn of 1924, Makar Borin, famous in the south of Russia, took over the theatre, followed by Boris Glubokovskiy as main director.

The theater's repertoire during the period from 1923 to 1927 included plays that were banned in the RSFSR, such as "Psycha," "Old School" and "Satan". The theater was located in a former monastic sacristy, and later moved to a prison building specially adapted for theatrical performances. It had about 300 seats for the audience, boxes for officials and dressing rooms for actors. The performances were not only for the "noble" of Solovets, but also for prisoners and staff members. Approximately 30-40% of paid seats were occupied by prisoners, including punks.

In addition to the main theater, there were also groups organized on an initiative from below. In 1924 there were 25 groups of locals, artists, writers and musicians, controlled by the administration of the camp. These included women's, children's and film committees, as well as theater groups.

"TRASH", a theater group founded in 1924 by Boris Yemelyanov, Boris Shiryaev and Mikhail Egorov, was made up of actors and playwrights who presented plays and dramatized romances based on popular themes. They performed 140 times per year in various parts of the island, attracting audiences with their performances. The artists of TRASH once performed at a concert for a commission from Moscow led by Gleb Bokim, presenting several songs with provocative lyrics that were partially replaced by the names of newly-arrived commissars. The event's highlight was the performance by the prisoners' choir of "Solovetsk Anthem".

Solovki Theater was not just entertainment for prisoners, but also a place where they could showcase their talents and create art in a totalitarian environment. Despite the lack of personal freedom and creativity, the prisoners dramatized their lives and staged improvised performances, making this remarkable achievement an important part of Russian history.