Soviet Art

USSR Culture

What Herluf Bidstrup saw in USSR

What Herluf Bidstrup saw in USSR

What Herluf Bidstrup saw in USSR

“What Herluf Bidstrup saw in USSR” – the title of the book of cartoons published in 1970s in Moscow. Noteworthy, Danish cartoonist Herluf Bidstrup (September 10, 1912 – December 26, 1988) was a Danish communist, who drew cartoons on foreign policy and social themes. In particular, his work “What Bidstrup saw in the USSR” captures and presents everyday life of the Soviet people in humour genre. The life, which he saw with his own eyes after he had travelled to the Soviet Union. By the way, Herluf Bidstrup, an honorary member of the Academy of Arts of the USSR, received the International Lenin Peace Prize in 1964. Books with drawings by Bidstrup published in the USSR in huge editions and were very popular. Bidstrup was a convinced communist and considered in the USSR as a “progressive artist” because in his cartoons he exposed the ulcers and vices of a capitalist society, which in fact are relevant even in today’s state of world capitalism.
Since 1945 he worked in the newspaper of the Communist Party of Denmark “Land og Folk”. Meanwhile, the gallery of selected images from his book reconstructs the most important events of the time, according to the author.

Every day, thousands of visitors from different parts of the Soviet UnionIn seek to get to the Lenin Mausoleum on Red Square

“Every day, thousands of visitors from different parts of the Soviet UnionIn seek to get to the Lenin Mausoleum on Red Square”. What Herluf Bidstrup saw in USSR

What Herluf Bidstrup saw in USSR

1. Workers put things in order at home

1. Workers put things in order at home

2. Workers began building socialism

2. Workers began building socialism

3. Communism is Soviet power plus electrofication of all the country. People fulfilled 5-year plans

3. Communism is Soviet power plus electrofication of all the country. People fulfilled 5-year plans

4. But in 1941 the Nazis attacked the Soviet Union

4. But in 1941 the Nazis attacked the Soviet Union

5. The Germans brought a lot of grief to Soviet people, but were stopped at the banks of the Volga

5. The Germans brought a lot of grief to Soviet people, but were stopped at the banks of the Volga

6. Soviet soldiers returned home and could enjoy peace

6. Soviet soldiers returned home and could enjoy peace

7. Began restoring war-ravaged economy

7. Began restoring war-ravaged economy

8. In the same 1917 in the western country born baby. He grew up, and when behaved badly, parents told him not to act 'as a communist'. It was first lesson about communists

8. In the same 1917 in the western country born baby. He grew up, and when behaved badly, parents told him not to act ‘as a communist’. It was first lesson about communists

9. At school teachers explained 'truth' about bloody communist country

9. At school teachers explained ‘truth’ about bloody communist country

10. He read in newspapers, and listened on the radio how horrible the USSR is

10. He read in newspapers, and listened on the radio how horrible the USSR is

11. He was ready to defend his country against aggresive USSR, but didn't notice German nazi, which envaded his country

11. He was ready to defend his country against aggresive USSR, but didn’t notice German nazi, which envaded his country

12. Shock and disappointment

12. Shock and disappointment

13. What a joy, Soviet country saved Europe

13. What a joy, Soviet country saved Europe

14. But the joy of liberation was short. Began the Cold War. Again, the newspapers blamed the Soviet Union

14. But the joy of liberation was short. Began the Cold War. Again, the newspapers blamed the Soviet Union

15. Newspapers wrote about bad communists

15. Newspapers wrote about bad communists

16. Television told about miserable life in the USSR

16. Television told about miserable life in the USSR

17. Meanwhile, the Soviet people launched first Sputnik, and first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin flew into space

17. Meanwhile, the Soviet people launched first Sputnik, and first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin flew into space

18. Tired of news on TV and newspapers, he decided to visit the USSR to see everything with his own eyes

18. Tired of news on TV and newspapers, he decided to visit the USSR to see everything with his own eyes

19. Off he goes

19. Off he goes

20. On the board of the Soviet passenger ship

20. On the board of the Soviet passenger ship

21. Finally Leningrad. People go ashore not without fear - will we starve, sent to Siberia

21. Finally Leningrad. People go ashore not without fear – will we starve, sent to Siberia

22. Leningrad - the northern capital

22. Leningrad – the northern capital

23. Monument to Peter I

23. Monument to Peter I

24. After the death of Lenin St. Petersburg became Leningrad

24. After the death of Lenin St. Petersburg became Leningrad

25. At Piskarevsky cemetery rest more than 600 000 inhabitants of Leningrad who died from the bombing and blockade in the Second World War

25. At Piskarevsky cemetery rest more than 600 000 inhabitants of Leningrad who died from the bombing and blockade in the Second World War

26. On the banks of canals - fishermen

26. On the banks of canals – fishermen

27. Somewhere there must be a bug

28. At the Elektrosila plant, 12,000 workers work. They supply with electrical appliances the hydroelectric power plants of the Soviet Union

28. At the Elektrosila plant, 12,000 workers work. They supply with electrical appliances the hydroelectric power plants of the Soviet Union

29. Residents of Leningrad like to go to the concerts of the popular Soviet comedian Arkady Raikin

29. Residents of Leningrad like to go to the concerts of the popular Soviet comedian Arkady Raikin

30. In summer people like to sunbathe on the coast of the Baltic Sea. There are many sanatoria and resorts here

30. In summer people like to sunbathe on the coast of the Baltic Sea. There are many sanatoria and resorts here

31. Russians love ice cream, both in winter and summer

31. Russians love ice cream, both in winter and summer

32. In the evenings in cafes and restaurants a lot of people

32. In the evenings in cafes and restaurants a lot of people

33. People like to spend time in cafes

33. People like to spend time in cafes

34. Restaurants and cafes are full of people

34. Restaurants and cafes are full of people

35. Folk dances are very popular

35. Folk dances are very popular

36. Soviet Union is a multicultural country

36. Soviet Union is a multicultural country