Soviet Postcards

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August 9 is Tove Jansson’s birthday! The first photo here is the first of her books ever published in the Soviet Union (Moomins and the Comet Chase). The second photo shows all of her books published in the USSR. Most of her works were published in 1991-1992 - after the Soviet era.

You can find a comprehensive list of all Jansson’s book published in Russian here.

moomin books soviet ussr russia history photography vintage retro

Moscow, February 4, 1990. The most massive protest in the history of the Soviet Union. 300 thousand people marched from the Crimean Bridge along the Garden Ring and Gorky Street (now Tverskaya) to the 50th Anniversary of October Square (Manezhnaya).... — Moscow, February 4, 1990. The most massive protest in the history of the Soviet Union. 300 thousand people marched from the Crimean Bridge along the Garden Ring and Gorky Street (now Tverskaya) to the 50th Anniversary of October Square (Manezhnaya). The main demand of the protesters was to abolish Article 6 of the USSR Constitution that declared the leading role of the Communist Party.

democracy 1990s moscow soviet ussr russia history photography vintage retro

Elton John in the Soviet Union (May 1979) (via)

Bonus: Elton John: To Russia With Elton (Full DVD)

1970s soviet ussr russia history photography vintage retro

Holiday cartoons from Soviet Union - my top 5

“The Last Year’s Snow Was Falling” (1983)

This one is a legend. Packed with phrases that every Russian person recognizes in a conversation. I watch it religiously every year on December 31. I pretty much know it by heart, but I still enjoy watching it! Voiced by the amazing Stanislav Sadalsky. Great music too!

(«Уж послала так послала!» «А вот это мой размерчик.» «Ох уж эти сказочки! Ох уж эти сказочники…»)

(Watch with English subtitles here)

“Father Frost and Summer” (1969)

It’s sooo cute! And those songs! Love love love it.

(LQ quality but with English subtitles)

“Winter in Prostokvashino” (1984)

Another classic cartoon - the third installment in the story of the little village called Prostokvashino. Check out the Christmas tree decorated in attic-found vintage. :)

(«Фиг вам называется!»)

(with English subtitles)

“The Nutcracker” (1973)

I remember watching this as a child and being mesmerized with the music. It was long before I knew who Tchaikovsky was! And the scene when Nutcracker turns into boy gave me goose bumps.

This one needs no translation.

“Father Frost and Grey Wolf” (1978)

I mostly include this one for the song - «Тревога! Тревога! Волк унёс зайчат!» - which is an old joke between me and my sister. We watched this one a lot back in the day. :)

(with English subtitles)