Long live May 1st. 1928

Es lebe der 1 mai
Vive le 1er Mai

This 1928 poster by P. Sokolov-Skalya celebrates International Workers’ Day with a powerful image of a giant joyful worker carrying a happy Pioneer child on his shoulder while holding a large red banner reading Long live May 1st! The towering figure symbolizes the strength and triumph of the working class as he strides confidently forward. At his feet, caricatured capitalists, clergy, and bourgeois figures panic and fall to the ground, emphasizing the victory of labor over exploitation. Additional banners in multiple languages highlight the global nature of the workers’ movement. The bright colors and exaggerated forms reflect a festive yet militant spirit that characterized Soviet May Day propaganda. Overall, the poster conveys unity, optimism, and the unstoppable force of the proletariat.