Soviet Union Constitution

Article 67 of the Soviet Union Constitution

The direct translation of the Russian text on the poster is:
“Citizens of the USSR are obligated to protect nature and conserve its resources.”

Visual Elements and Symbolism

The Protective Hand: The silhouette of a blue hand surrounds a natural scene, symbolizing the duty of the State and citizens to “protect” and care for the environment.

Natural Scene: In the center of the hand, you see the silhouette of a deer next to a lake and trees, representing wildlife and natural resources that must be preserved.

Coat of Arms: In the upper right corner is the National Emblem of the Soviet Union, complete with the hammer and sickle, legitimizing the message as an official directive of the State.

This poster is part of a series of Soviet-era “ecological propaganda” materials aimed at raising public awareness about environmental conservation.

Notes about copyright

Timeframes: In most countries that were part of the USSR, copyright protection lasts 70 years after the author’s death. As Koit Püss passed away in 2014, the work is still technically protected by copyright until 2084.

State Entities: Although many posters were owned by the Soviet State, Russian and Estonian succession laws recognize the rights of the heirs of the original creators or the organizations that hold the rights today.

Use: For study, criticism, or educational purposes, the use of the image is often permitted under the concept of “fair use,” but for commercial purposes, authorization is required.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges

Note: This image is copyright protected