Baby heads on stalks and Stalin catching butterflies? Soviet propaganda posters abound in pictures that are beyond your mind. So we also decided to show them with a serious grain of salt ...
"Thank you Comrade Stalin for our happy childhood" in 1936.
Stalin had great pleasure in the armbands of flowers brought by the children. At least that's what his gentle smile shows. Or maybe he was just glad that the "artist" introduced him not only larger than the children, but also the building in the background?
"Roses for Stalin" - a picture of the socialist realist artist Boris Władymirski from 1949. This work is considered to be a classic example of socialist realist propaganda.
The painting by Boris Władymirski is a classic of propaganda. Everything is here:an impressive leader, happy children, flowers in bloom and a blue sky. One would like to know how Stalin himself reacted to the socialist realist work. Because the figure in the painting does not seem to notice the flowers at all. Not the kids, for that matter.
"Stalin's care lights up the future of our children." 1947 poster by Irakli Toiga.
Socialist realism was inexorable. Even the young ones had to give Stalin flowers. And in the other hand it is obligatory to hold the flag of the USSR. It's good that it's just a picture, because a real child from the takeover could drop something and damage the man with the mustache who was holding it ... But maybe thanks to such an experience his first word would be:"Stalin"?
"We thank dear Stalin for our happy childhood." Poster by Nina Watolina, created in 1950.
The affect on the boy's face leaves little scope for the imagination. The young man is very happy to hug the leader. However, we have doubts about the girl. In our opinion, he says something like, “Stalin, I have two things. First, can I touch the rose? Second, will you take my bouquet even though it doesn't wash on yours? ” If we were her, we would probably be afraid to ask.
Stalin and the children. Oil on canvas by Konstantin Titow from 1950.
In the painting by Konstantin Titov, a little boy playing the trumpet joined the traditional flowers and children. Unfortunately, the concert did not turn out well, judging by the face of the girl standing just above the instrument. In addition, some of the gathered youth lost… faces. For happiness?
"We thank the party, thank dear Stalin, for our happy and cheerful childhood." 1937 poster by Dmitry Griniec.
Another concert in honor of Stalin ... and further suspicions that it was not a feast for connoisseurs. Because what else can the hand of the generalissimo mean, resting on the ear of a young man with a model of a Soviet plane in his hands? "Come on, baby! I will cover your ears, you won't have to listen to that flabbiness ” - the boy must have heard a few moments earlier…
Vasyl Prokofeyevich Yefanov "Stalin and Molotov with children". A socialist realist propaganda image from 1947.
A real morning idyll. Józef Stalin, Wiaczesław Mołotow and three children walk a flower meadow. The plans, as you can see, even catch butterflies. Of course, if Stalin doesn't flood sooner then. Because it is pouring heat from the sky, and he is not only buttoned up to the neck, but also with winter boots on his feet ...
"We thank beloved Stalin for a happy childhood." A poster by Wiktor Goworkow from 1947.
What to do when Stalin is lurking in the bushes? It's best to approach, hug and showcase your toys. Especially if they are patriotic enough, such as a ship or a plane. Or show off a drawing of the Kremlin. Who has nothing to show like the poor girl behind, rightly turns red.
"Stalin with the children." Oil painting by Wiktor Jakowlewicz Konovalov from the 1950s.
According to Viktor Konovalov, what was Soviet everyday life like? Stalin is sitting on a bench in the park, a group of children gather around him and shower him with his chatter. Just like every day. Besides, maybe not only Soviet, but also Polish, because Stalin is also "the father of all Polish children".
"Thank you Comrade Stalin for a happy childhood" Poster by Nina Watolina, Nikolai Dienisov, Vladimir Pravdin and Zoya Ryłova-Pravdina from 1938.
There is no God. So there is no Christmas. I don't think that Grandpa Mróz is there anymore. Instead, there is a Christmas tree, and on it, of course, such Christmas decorations as airplanes, parachutes and fish. And also much more traditional stars, of course in red. But the children probably have nothing to be happy about, as it looks like Stalin will get all the gifts this year. The usual flowers and flags are already waiting for him.
"Happy birthday to the new year, dear Stalin." A poster by Konstantin Ivanov from 1952.
The celebration of the New Year could not be done without Stalin. Even if the presence of the chief was symbolized only by the portrait hanging on the wall. There are no flowers in Konstantin Ivanov's painting, but we encourage you to take a look at Christmas decorations. I think someone got the seasons wrong…
"Dear Stalin."
If the girl in the painting could speak, she would probably say: I'm a little child / I know Stalin's mind and deeds. Or: Winter has passed, it will be summer, Thanks to Stalin for that!
"Stalin's concern warms us" in 1949.
As you can see, flower children appeared in the Soviet Union as early as the Stalinist era. They were guided by Stalin's head, planted on the spine of the tower. In order not to recognize it, it was placed on a laurel wreath. But that's not all - the fruit children were also known! Multicolored grapes and peaches are best.