Mass Rally in Kiev, March 1944 -- Daily LIFT #161

Mass Rally in Kiev, March 1944, in celebration of the liberation of the region from the fascist invaders -- Daily LIFT #161

While Kiev itself was liberated by the Red Army November 6, 1943, fighting in the region around it continued into 1944.

Peace, Work, Happiness: Ceramic Panel, Ukrainian SSR, 1969 -- Daily LIFT #131

Peace, Work, Happiness: Ceramic Panel, Ukrainian SSR, 1969 -- Daily LIFT #131

Art that was at the Kiev Airport during the Soviet period.

War Monuments and Sights of Soviet Kiev 1975 -- 16 Vintage Photographs

As we noted in a previous post, November 6 is the anniversary of the liberation of Kiev from the Nazis by the Red Army in 1943. It was liberated on the eve of the 26th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution.


The city had been devastated in the fighting and during the fascist occupation.

This postcard folder of 16 images published in 1975 shows not only how Kiev had been rebuilt and the progress that was being made in the city but also has many monuments to the heroes of the Red Army and the triumph over fascism such as the Monument to the Soviet Tankers and the Monument on the Grave of the Unknown Soldier.

(Click on images to enlarge)

Monument to the Soviet Tankers

State University

Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR

Monument on the Grave of the Unknown Soldier

Palace of Ukrainian Culture

Exhibition of Excellence in the National Economy

Monument to the January Uprising, 1918

In the January Uprising the workers of Kiev revolted in support of Soviet power.

Victory Square Hotel

Monument to the Liberation of the City from the Fascist Invaders

Airport

Lenin Monument

New Hotel and Housing Estate Buildings

Shevchenko Monument

Monument to the Soviet Prisoners of War Executed by the Nazis

Monument to Nikolai Vatutin, Red Army Liberator of Kiev

Vatutin was murdered in 1944 by Nazi collaborators in an ambush.

Memorial Complex to the Victims of Fascism

Victory of the Great October Socialist Revolution in the Ukraine: 5 Photos -- Daily LIFT #40

Victory of the Great October Socialist Revolution in the Ukraine: 5 Photos

-- Daily LIFT #40

1) Bolshevik column at the May Demonstration, Kiev 1917

2) Soviet troops sent from Moscow for the Kaledin front, marching in the Donbas, 1917

3) Demonstration of Kharkiv working people in honour of the 1st All-Ukrainian Congress of Soviets, December 1917

4) Red Guard detachment entering Bakhchisarai, January 1918

5) Red Guard detachment of Yelisavetgrad, January 1918

Images from Soviet Ukraine, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR

This Thursday marks the 102nd Anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution.

(The Daily LIFT - Leftist Image for Today - is a new The Left Chapter feature posting a daily photo, cartoon, artwork or other image related to leftist history or contemporary realty.)

Olympic Soviet Kiev -- 12 Panoramic Views of the City 1980

Recently we have looked at the Ukrainian city of Kiev during the Soviet era in posts like Traveling Down the Dnieper with Soviet Life, 1984 and The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic 1987: Photos, Culture, Economy, History & more.

Today we are looking at a folder of panoramic postcards of the city that were released in the lead up to the Olympic Summer Games held in the USSR in 1980.

Published prior to the boycott the cards are in several languages including English.

There are many amazing views including of the Central Sport Stadium, of huge new housing developments, of the view of the Dnieper from Vladimirskaya Hill, the Dynamo swimming complex and much more.

We have also included the folder's English language blurb about the city.

In the coming days we are planning on featuring a Canadian journalist's account of the games and some Soviet Olympic art.

(click on images to enlarge)

Festival of Sports in the Central Stadium

Rusanovka -- one of the new housing estates

The Shevchenko Opera and Ballet Theatre /

Ukraina Palace of Culture

Dynamo Swimming Pool

Kreshchatik - Kiev's main street

Monument to Lenin / Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR

View of the Dnieper from the Vladimirskaya Hill

Museum preserves and monuments to ancient architecture

Melnitsa Restaurant / Kureni Cafe

The Shevchenko State University /

Monument to Shevchenko

Lybid Hotel / Slavutich Hotel

Olympic Champions

These games were ultimately boycotted by the United States and other western countries (including Canada) ostensibly to protest the Soviet Union sending troops to aid in the defense of the Saur Revolution in Afghanistan. It is always worth remembering that the great stand taken in support of the obscurantist religious fanatics who, sadly, did eventually defeat the revolution with the Taliban coming to power, has not aged terribly well.

Traveling Down the Dnieper with Soviet Life, 1984

Recently we featured a remarkable Soviet book from 1985 that promoted tours along the Dnieper River in the Ukrainian SSR.

Here we are going to look at a voyage made by two editors of Soviet Life Magazine down the river in 1983 sharing the text and the colour and black and white photographs. They wrote of their trip in the February and March issues in 1984. As they did we will be breaking our post into the two parts.

The writers traveled on a smaller passenger yacht after spending several days in Kiev. They talk about the dramatic growth of the city, its various attractions and the central role the river plays in its life and history.

After leaving Kiev they stop in Kanev, 200 kilometers south, where among other things they visit the grave of and national museum dedicated to the famous Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko who has featured prominently in many of our past posts about Soviet Ukraine such as 17 Panoramic Views of Soviet Kharkov 1984.

In Kanev they spend some time talking to the captain of the larger Dnieper passenger ship the V. I. Lenin, who relates his rise to being a sea captain. After the war he was inspired by the writings of Mark Twain to run away from home when he was 13 and make his way to Kiev where he started as a kitchen boy and eventually went to a specialized maritime school.

In addition to visits to art studios and other cultural spots they go to the Druzhba (Friendship) Collective Farm where they see the facilities available to the farmers and discuss things like their wages and housing. They spend some time at a nearby sanatorium where farmers and other Soviet workers receive healthcare or can vacation to relax in the mud baths and on the beaches.

We have also included a photo of Wayne Gretzky and famed Soviet goalie Vladislav Tretiak that was in the issue since this should be of interest to hockey fans!

(Click on scans to enlarge)

Gretzky & Tretiak