The Motherland is Calling! (1941) Soviet WWII Poster
Please note, we also sell a framed version of this poster here on RUS & SOV.
About the Poster
The Motherland is Calling! (Russian: Родина-мать зовет!) is one of the most famous and iconic Soviet posters there is.
The poster’s artist, Irakli Toidze (Russian: Ираклий Тоидзе), began work on it as soon as he heard that the Nazi German invasion of the Soviet Union had begun on June 22, 1941. According to the Toidze family, Irakli’s wife, Tamara, first heard of the invasion from the Soviet Information Bureau through a street loudspeaker. As soon as she got the news, she ran into Irakli’s study and shouted in despair, “War!” Apparently, her expression was so brilliant that Irakli immediately exclaimed “Stop, don’t move!” and began to sketch her figure.
By the following morning, the poster was ready. Within five days, the first The Motherland Calls! posters were leaving the printing house. And by mid-July, the entire country recognized it. Of all the many propaganda posters that appeared at the beginning of the war to inspire the Soviet people, this one became the most popular and recognizable. And in Tamara Toidze, millions of Red Army soldiers came to see features of a face dear to them and something worth fighting for. In fact, many countless front-line soldiers kept a postcard-sized version of the poster among personal family photos in their breast pocket while they fought.
In one hand Tamara Toidze – Mother Russia herself – holds a Military Oath (Russian: Военная присяга) document, reminding her children of their sworn duty. It reads:
I, a citizen of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, joining the ranks of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Aria, take the oath and solemnly vow to be an honest, brave, disciplined, vigilant fighter, strictly keep military and state secrets, and unconditionally fulfill all military regulations and orders of commanders and chiefs.
I swear to conscientiously study military affairs, to take every possible care of military and national property to the last breath, be loyal to my People, my Soviet Motherland and the Workers 'and Peasants' Government.
I am always ready, by order of the Workers 'and Peasants' Government, to defend my homeland - the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and, as a warrior of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army, I swear to defend it courageously, skillfully, with dignity and honor, not sparing my blood and life itself for achieving complete victory over enemies. If, by malicious intent, I violate this solemn oath of mine, then let the harsh punishment of Soviet law, universal hatred and contempt of the working people befall me.
Я, гражданин Союза Советских Социалистических Республик, вступая в ряды Рабоче-Крестьянской Красной Арии, принимаю присягу и торжественно клянусь быть честным, храбрым, дисциплинированным, бдительным бойцом, строго хранить военную и государственную тайну, беспрекословно выполнять все воинские уставы и приказы командиров и начальников.
Я клянусь добросовестно изучать военное дело, всемерно беречь военное и народное имущество до последнего дыхания быть преданным своему Народу, своей Советской Родине и Рабоче-Крестьяискому Правительству.
Я всегда готов по приказу Рабоче-Крестьянского Правительства выступить на защиту моей Родины — Союза Советских Социалистических Республик и, как воин Рабоче-Крестьянской Красной Армии, я клянусь защищать ее мужественно, умело, с достоинством и честью, не щадя своей крови и самой жизни для достижения полной победы над врагами. Если же по злому умыслу я нарушу эту мою торжественную присягу, то пусть меня постигнет суровая кара советского закона, всеобщая ненависть и презрение трудящихся.
Original Poster
Poster Quality
Museum-quality posters made on thick and durable matte paper. Add a wonderful accent to your room and office with these posters that are sure to brighten any environment.
Please note, all poster sizes are in inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm).
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 5.57 oz/y² (189 g/m²)
• Giclée printing quality
• Opacity: 94%
