Love books – the source of knowledge! 1952

This Soviet poster was created in 1952 by artist B. Suryaninov. The slogan at the bottom reads: “Любите книгу — источник знания”, a quote from Maxim Gorky meaning “Love the book — the source of knowledge.” The scene shows a man, likely a teacher or father, standing beside a bookcase and selecting a volume while speaking to a boy in a Young Pioneer uniform, who already holds a book in his hands. Their interaction conveys respect for literature, the passing of knowledge between generations, and the central role of books in education. By linking everyday study with Gorky’s authority, the poster presents reading as both a moral duty and a source of enlightenment. Such works reflected the Soviet effort to promote intellectual growth and discipline among youth through reverence for books.