To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the start of the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945), the Embassy of Russia in Thailand presents "Glory To The Victorious Soldier!", an exhibition of Soviet war posters, at Room 182, 1st floor of River City Bangkok, Charoen Krung 24, until Aug 9.
Soldier Of The Soviet Army, Save Us! by Viktor Koretsky. photo courtesy of Embassy of Russia
In pre-revolutionary Russia, propaganda posters began to be published during World War I. They were produced in large quantities, plastered on walls around the city and sent with weapons and ammunition to the front line.
After the 1917 revolution, the popular posters became a part of people's lives. They were used to foster a sense of patriotism and love of country, reflecting almost all aspects of life of an entire generation. Propaganda posters gained particular importance during World War II, which was known as the Great Patriotic War in Russia due to the devastating attack by Nazi Germany on the Soviet Union.
These wartime posters shaped public opinion by creating a negative image of the enemy, arousing the wrath of soldiers, and at the same time cultivating love for the homeland. Artists of that time created stately, dramatic images, accompanying their works with apt phrases that stick in the memory.
The Bangkok exhibition brings a total of 21 reproductions of wartime posters created by famous Soviet painters and poster artists of that time. They include Viktor Koretsky, Nikolai Zhukov, Dmitry Moor, Viktor Deni, Alexei Kokorekin, Viktor Ivanov, Irakli Toidze as well as Kukryniksy, a group of three caricaturists and a group of Okna TASS artists.
The plots of the first posters were full of attacks and emphasised the connection of the people with the army, urging them to destroy the enemy. Later as the Soviet soldiers successfully progressed to expelling the enemy and marching towards Germany, the tone, plots and mood of the posters became brighter and more optimistic.
There is no admission fee. Visit rivercitybangkok.com or call 02-237-0077.
