Posters of the Hungarian Soviet Republic 1919 - 1920

The Hungarian Soviet Republic - Progressive art and culture with social relevance
During the very short period (133 days) of the Hungarian Soviet Republic, progressive and modern tendencies in art and literature became clear and dominated cultural policy. In fact, the modern and progressive Hungarian intelligentsia unanimously supported the new regime.

Although the Hungarian Soviet Republic was a failed experiment that caused even more suffering to an already devastated Hungary, it was undoubtedly a unique attempt that brought together young, immensely talented modernist minds and partially gave them the opportunity to shine. This modern utopia soon showed its enormous shortcomings, but its downfall was not without a trace. The most important imprints of this era are the unique and daring propaganda posters, which were intended to convey their utopian ideas to the masses. Education, culture, and propaganda were intertwined, and each participated in the great work of reforming society. Posters of the Hungarian Soviet Republic show the spirit of this very short but important period.

The Hungarian Soviet Republic was established peacefully and without bloodshed in the spring of 1919 - unlike the Soviet Revolution in 1917, which led to a civil war. This fact gave the new state strong legitimacy. Besides the regime's socialist ideology, nationalistic emotions were also present, as the country was on the verge of continuing the war to defend itself and its territorial integrity. This meant that the new regime could represent the key, although various opinions were present in Hungarian society.

Social issues had been a central question for many Hungarian artist groups since the 1910s. Some of them were avant-garde groups with a strong leftist ideology - in which they were comparable to - not only Russian - but also Western avant-garde (such as expressionist and Dadaist artist groups). The question of social relevance was present in the work of the writers of the most important literary magazine Nyugat (West). Socialist ideology was dominant in the philosophical circle of Gyorgy (Georg) Lukacs, Vasárnapi Kör (Sunday Circle). Lajos Kassak published internationalist and leftist articles in his magazines A Tett (Action) and Ma (Today). His circle described itself as Activist, referring to their efforts to bring about changes in the social system. In 1917, news of the Soviet Revolution upset all these groups.

Their terrible experiences with the First World War caused great disappointment and a strong desire for peace. The modern artist groups had a common desire for 'a new system, a new world, new faith, and new man'. The conviction that a new world would emerge after this terrible war became stronger and stronger. Their envisioned new world was defined by equality, which was to be achieved by the peaceful uprising of the lower classes. As the poet and writer Gyula Juhasz put it: "only the proletariat can create a new world, a better one, because it is true."

The Hungarian Soviet Republic seemed to fulfill the wishes of the artists, all of whom became prominent actors in its cultural policymaking. The focus of the new cultural policy was on "removing the intellectual dominance of the bourgeoisie" - culture should not belong to them, but to everyone. To achieve this goal, the new regime had to restructure the system: from elementary schools to universities and museums. Education became free, and schools became public. Art collections were expropriated; new libraries were opened in the country. The new system gave workers a real opportunity to be educated.

The modernist intelligentsia held important positions in the new system. Most played a central role in reforming cultural life. This meant that most of them had to leave Hungary after the fall of the short-lived communist state to avoid retaliation, and they started new careers abroad - and we can add: this was an important factor in the fact that many of them later became world-famous.
All these great theorists and artists worked for an idealistic new world. They did not fail; they were able to follow their original modern way of thinking, and the dictatorship was not strongly present in the field of culture. According to Lukács's principles, there was no compulsory style, no 'official' art (they were able to avoid the slavish acceptance of the Bolshevik idea of realism as the only acceptable style). Modernist tendencies were widely accepted and became an important part of the art and propaganda of the new system.
The theories of this leading group became evident in the propaganda posters, which were mainly created by the leading poster artists of the decade; Mihály Biro, Imre Foldes, Geza Farago, etc.; prominent avant-garde artists, such as Robert Bereny, Bela Uitz, Bertalan Por, Jozsef Nemes-Lamperth, Janos Kmetty, etc.) and other talented artists, most of whom later created important works, such as Marcell Vertes, Janos Tabor, Odon Danko , Jolan Szilagyi etc.
All the artists and theorists who participated were in their twenties or early thirties. Mihaly Biro, one of the most important pioneers of 20th-century propaganda poster design, created his most important works. 

 Posters of the Hungarian Soviet Republic show the spirit of this very short but important period.
Posters were released in 1979, 60 years after the Hungarian Soviet Republic, and are A4 size. 
24 x 34 cm printed on thick and sturdy paper.
Strong texts, some of which I have translated;

Proletarian, do not allow the council
With me or against me
In the Red Army
Do not hesitate to join the Red Army
Red newspaper
Work because the bread runs out
Republic

Age-related damage, scratches, dents, stains, etc.
COMPLETE FOLDER with all 32 posters and information booklet describing each poster.
ONLY FOR SALE AS A COMPLETE FOLDER !!
Each one can be framed individually.
 € 1.60 per Poster. Set price € 51,-