Soviet Art

The image from the popular in the USSR magazine ‘Soviet Screen’, 1957. Soviet Latvian actress Dzidra Ritenberga. (August 29, 1928 – March 9, 2003)

Soviet Latvian actress Dzidra Ritenberga
Born August 29, 1928 in Latvia, Soviet Latvian actress, film director Dzidra Arturovna Ritenberga was the winner of the prize of the Venice Film Festival for the performance of the main role in the film “Malva” directed by Vladimir Braun (1957).
She graduated from the Liepaja evening high school, the studio of the State Drama Theater and the director’s department of the theatrical faculty of the Latvian State Conservatoire (1974).
She was an actress of the Liepaja Drama Theater (1948-1957), the Riga Theater of Russian Drama (1957-1962), and the Moscow Drama Theater of KS Stanislavsky (1962-1975). And later, Director of the Riga Film Studio (1975-1990).
Member of the Union of Cinematographers of Latvian SSR since 1958. Honored Artist of the Latvian SSR (1960).
Was married to the actor Evgeny Urbansky, tragically died on November 5, 1965 on the shooting of the film “Director”. After his death, she gave birth to her daughter Yevgenia.
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Outgoing summer. 1979. Painting by Soviet Russian artist Yan Yulianovich Kryzhevsky (born 1948)

Soviet Russian artist Yan Yulianovich Kryzhevsky

Born April 8, 1948 in Ufa, the Bashkir ASSR, Kryzhevsky – Member of the USSR Union of Artists (1975). First, he studied at the Ufa Art College, and then tried to receive his art knowledge in the Latvian Academy of Arts of E. Zalkaln (In 1970-1972). However, expelled from the Academy, he did not finish studies. Nevertheless, he began his creative activity in 1973, taken part in the exhibition of Soviet Art. And not in vain. In particular, for the work “New Day”, shown in the Central Exhibition Hall (1976, Moscow) he received the first prize of the All-Union Exhibition of Young Artists. In addition, he became a Laureate of the Lenin Komsomol Prize (1976) for his paintings “Ufa Horizons”, and “White and Blue Day”.
Since 1977, he worked mostly in Vologda until 1988. Chairman of the youth section of the Vologda branch of the RSFSR Union of Artists, he initiated the opening the club of young artists in Vologda. Also, he organized the art exhibitions of young artists in Petrozavodsk (1978), Arkhangelsk (1980), Leningrad, and Ufa. As well as Estonian artists in Vologda (1979-80). Kryzhevsky actively took part in the regional, all-Union and foreign exhibitions of Soviet art. And the foreign exhibitions included Bulgaria, Hungary, Finland, Romania, Germany, Mongolia, France, and Italy.
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Left – Evgeny Danilovich Agranovich (October 13, 1918 – January 29, 2010) Soviet poet and bard, right – Soviet actor Mikhail Nozhkin. I am in the spring forest – the Soviet anthem of refugees

I am in the spring forest – the Soviet anthem of refugees

With the song performed by Mikhail Nozhkin immediately fell in love all the Soviet people. Simple in execution, emotional, tragic and in the spirit of the time it sounded everywhere. Besides, the emigrant theme in Russia is steadily relevant and popular. Only the nuances change. As they say, history teaches people little. In the 21st century, wars on the planet are inflaming with renewed vigor. And now “I am in the spring forest” can sing refugees from different countries as a kind of anthem.
“I am in the spring forest” – sung on behalf of a man forced to leave his homeland and hesitant to go back. In the Soviet Union, there was the notion of “Soviet displaced persons,” that is, Soviet citizens who were in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) outside the USSR. Basically, these were people whom the fascists forced to work in Europe. Among them were prisoners of war and accomplices of the Germans who retired with whole families from the USSR.
In 1944-1952 there was a repatriation, that is, the return of displaced persons to their homeland. Theoretically, civilians and prisoners of war were to restore citizenship without any persecution. But in practice, many fell into camps, fines, experienced various infringements of rights and freedoms in civil life. Therefore, it was not a simple and pleasant affair for every displaced Soviet citizen to return home. These sad moments of our history are reflected in the song “I’m in the spring forest”.
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Composer Dmitry Shostakovich (25 September 1906 – 9 August 1975). Outstanding figures of Soviet art Heroes of Socialist Labor

Outstanding figures of Soviet art Heroes of Socialist Labor
This publication features the outstanding figures of Soviet art – theater, music, ballet, cinema, and fine arts – awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor. Established by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR eighty years ago – on December 27, 1938 – the title of Hero of Socialist Labor, the highest degree of labor difference, was appropriated to Soviet people for particularly outstanding services contributing to the rise of the national economy. They are people of science and culture who selflessly served their homeland. They brought the glory to the USSR with their skill and talent.
Of course, it’s impossible to talk about each of them in one publication. However, I want to begin with Dmitry Dmitrievich Shostakovich. He was a brilliant composer-symphonist, a unique artist-communist, who possessed an exceptional musical-figurative skill. Doctor of Arts, Professor, an outstanding public figure, he was a People’s Artist USSR – the people in the full meaning of this word. An innovative musician, who expanded the boundaries of the use of musical expressive means. At the same time, he is the direct heir of Russian classical musical genius. It was in this capacity that he received world recognition.
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Ivan (Jovanni) Alexeyevich Vepkhvadze (1949-2016). Dispute. Abastumani Observatory. 1979. Paintings by Soviet Georgian artists

Paintings by Soviet Georgian artists
This publication features various Georgian artists, members of the Union of Artists of the USSR, who created their paintings for the glory of Soviet art and the people of the once united state – the USSR. And the first in this gallery – Ivan Vepkhvadze (1949-2016).
Born 13 March 1949 in Tbilisi, Ivan (Jovanni) Alexeyevich Vepkhvadze was the son of a prominent Soviet Georgian artist Alexei Ivanovich Vepkhvadze. He studied at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts at the Faculty of Painting (1967-1973). In 1973, he entered the Creative Workshop of Painting at the Academy of Arts of the USSR, from which he graduated in 1977. Immediately after graduation, he took an active part in both republican and all-Union and international exhibitions of Soviet Art. Member of the Union of Artists of the USSR (1977), he taught at the Tbilisi Art College of Ya.Nikoladze (1981-2007). Noteworthy, Ivan Alexeyevich Vepkhvadze belongs to the family of artists of the third generation. And now, his son, Bruno Vepkhvadze (b. 1986) ciontinues the tradition of his fathers.
Soviet Georgian artist Ivan (Jovanni) Alexeyevich Vepkhvadze died on May 3, 2016 (Tbilisi, Georgia). His works are in many museums and private collections in Georgia, Russia, Germany, USA, England, Armenia, France, Japan, Italy, Greece, Turkey, India, and China.
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One of the most beautiful actresses of the USSR, Soviet Lithuanian actress Eugenia Pleshkite (6 January 1938 – 3 November 2012)

Soviet Lithuanian actress Eugenia Pleshkite
Born in an ordinary peasant family in 1938, Eugenia Pleshkite – was one of the most beautiful women with whom the entire Soviet Union was in love. Today the name of this actress is familiar only to lovers of Soviet cinema and true fans of her talent and beauty. But the one who once saw her on the screen, could not forget this magnificent blonde beauty with a royal look, proud posture, and impeccable aristocratic gestures. Her exquisite Baltic accent and bottomless depth of blue eyes, in which every man in the USSR dreamed to drown.
Since childhood, the girl dreamed of a scene, and fate gave her this chance: in 1956, Eugenia, who sang beautifully and danced, entered the acting department of the State Conservatory of the Lithuanian SSR.
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‘Klassiki’ (popular in the USSR outdoor game for girls, known in English as Hopscotch). 1958. Paper, pencil, pastel. Drawing by Soviet Georgian graphic artist Dmitry Eristavi

Soviet Georgian graphic artist Dmitry Eristavi – Member of the USSR Union of Artists, Honored Artist of the Georgian SSR. Laureate of the Lenin Komsomol Prize of the Georgian SSR and People’s Artist of the Georgian SSR (1985). Born in 1931 in Tbilisi, he graduated from the Tbilisi Academy of Arts (1956). His teachers were Soviet artists L. Grigolia, I. Charlemagne, S. Kobuladze, D.A. Gabashvili and others. Master of easel and book graphics, poster artist, Eristavi worked also in the cinema as a set designer, and scriptwriter.
Eristavi works mainly in easel graphics. He constantly takes part in republican, all-Union and foreign exhibitions. Meanwhile, the first personal exhibition of Dmitry Eristavi in ​​Tbilisi in 1967 brought success to the artist. Thus, the same year he received the title of Honored Artist of the Georgian SSR and laureate of the Komsomol Prize of Georgia.
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