Feeling ashamed! 1958

This Soviet propaganda poster, created in 1958 by N. Velezheva and N. Kuzovkin, is titled “Feeling Ashamed!” At the top, the words read: “Got drunk, cursed, broke a young tree – it’s shameful to look people in the face” (“Напился, ругался, сломал деревцо – стыдно смотреть людям в лицо”). The main image shows a man covering his face with his hands, overwhelmed by guilt and disgrace. To the right, two neatly dressed young men pass by, next to the broken sapling, symbolizing both social judgment and the consequences of careless behavior. The bold red slogan “Стыдно!” (“Shame!”) drives home the emotional impact of the poster. It reflects the Soviet Union’s efforts in the 1950s to encourage sobriety, responsibility, and respect for public property.