Don’t You Dare 1955

This poster is titled “Не смей” (“Don’t You Dare”), created in 1955 by Soviet artist S. Nizovaya. It shows two boys: one, wearing the red necktie of the Soviet Pioneer organization, is stopping the other, who appears ready to throw a stone. The pioneer’s firm hand and determined look suggest he is preventing the “bad boy” from harming something good or socially valuable. The raised fist of the restrained boy conveys aggression, while the pioneer embodies discipline, morality, and the Soviet ideal of youth defending what is right. The bold slogan “Не смей” reinforces the moral lesson: do not commit bad or destructive actions. This poster reflects postwar Soviet educational propaganda, where pioneers were portrayed as role models of courage, vigilance, and loyalty to socialist values.