Our requirement – down with foul language! 1981

Created in 1981 by K. Ivanov, this Soviet public-morality poster carries the slogan “Our requirement – down with foul language!”. The central image shows a large, cartoonish male face with an exaggerated open mouth being forcefully zipped shut by a giant hand – a clear visual metaphor for silencing profanity. Bold, simplified shapes and high-contrast colors make the composition immediately readable and attention-grabbing from a distance. Text across the bottom reinforces the message, urging citizens to reject coarse speech as part of civilized socialist behavior. The poster reflects late-Soviet campaigns promoting social discipline and cultural decorum, using humor and direct symbolism to shape everyday conduct.