“Happy Childhood”
Sculpture
A gift for Joseph Stalin on his 70th birthday by the workers
of Leningrad’s Mikhail Lomonosov Porcelain Factory, 1949
A great example of Soviet figurine art:
a special piece by G. Stolbova and
Bogatyrev, master artists of the
Leningrad Porcelain Factory.
The groups of figurines depict the happy childhood of Soviet pioneers.
In the centre of the composition was the “father of nations” himself,
discussing with the young pioneers the books that they had read.
Other figurines depict the girl with the violin, a young naturalist w
ith a horse, young Michurinists (followers of biologist Ivan Michurin,
who implemented large-scale selection of plants in the USSR) and a
boy with the bugle (horn) – a popular pursuit among the Soviet children.
In the centre of the composition was the “father of nations” himself,
discussing with the young pioneers the books that they had read.
Other figurines depict the girl with the violin, a young naturalist w
ith a horse, young Michurinists (followers of biologist Ivan Michurin,
who implemented large-scale selection of plants in the USSR) and a
boy with the bugle (horn) – a popular pursuit among the Soviet children.
Thank you comrade
Stalin for our
happy childhood!
The popularity of the Soviet-era
phrase “Thank you comrade Stalin
for our happy childhood” is not
accidental: since the mid-1930s
it was widely used during PT
sessions, appeared in Soviet
schools, kindergartens, libraries,
in placards and was exhibited in
large letters in stadiums.
phrase “Thank you comrade Stalin
for our happy childhood” is not
accidental: since the mid-1930s
it was widely used during PT
sessions, appeared in Soviet
schools, kindergartens, libraries,
in placards and was exhibited in
large letters in stadiums.
Just like other world leaders, Stalin loved to meet the children and pose with them for photos.
The great leader’s daughter, Svetlana Allilueva, recalled that near the end the walls of her
father’s office were covered by a multitude of photos cut out of Soviet magazines and
newspapers where he was depicted in the company of pioneers.
The great leader’s daughter, Svetlana Allilueva, recalled that near the end the walls of her
father’s office were covered by a multitude of photos cut out of Soviet magazines and
newspapers where he was depicted in the company of pioneers.
These photos were hung near Stalin’s family photos. The whole Soviet state was declared by
him as the state which sacrifices everything for the betterment of the younger generation.
“Stalin is the Soviet children’s best friend” – such was another popular Soviet slogan.
him as the state which sacrifices everything for the betterment of the younger generation.
“Stalin is the Soviet children’s best friend” – such was another popular Soviet slogan.
Children greeting
Joseph Stalin, December 1949
Day one, after the vacation,
at Moscow school №19. Moscow,
1950
Secretary General Joseph Stalin
and his close associate, party
leader Lazar Kaganovich at Gorky
Central Park with the children
leader Lazar Kaganovich at Gorky
Central Park with the children