Be vigilant! 1953

Do not enjoy,
comrade, peaceful days.
Do not let goodness
turn into weakness.
Comrades, remember —
among us operates
a class enemy.

Poem by Vladimir Mayakovsky

Created by К. Ivanov in 1953, this Soviet poster “Be vigilant!” urges citizens to remain alert to the presence of hidden enemies and spies. It portrays a stern, confident man holding a newspaper with the headline “Spies and murderers exposed,” symbolizing awareness and readiness to act against internal threats. On the right, a verse by Vladimir Mayakovsky reminds comrades not to lose caution even in peaceful times, as class enemies still operate among them. The bold red slogan and the serious gaze of the man capture the tense Cold War atmosphere. The poster reflects the Soviet ideal of civic vigilance as a moral and patriotic duty.