Original 1989 Ukrainian Cinema Poster – «Вірними залишимося» – Yuriy Voievoda – Kyiv

A striking and historically layered original from the final years of Soviet Ukrainian cinema, this 1989 film poster was produced in Kyiv by Ukrreklamfilm (Укррекламфільм) — the Ukrainian SSR’s state film advertising agency — and designed by artist Yuriy Voievoda (Ю. П. Воєвода). It advertises «Вірними залишимося» (We Shall Remain Faithful), a historical film epic — кіноепопея — directed by Andrei Malyukov and produced as a major transnational co-production involving Mosfilm, the Dovzhenko Film Studios, and creative partners from Bulgaria, Poland, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, and Spain.

Voievoda’s composition is a masterclass in late-Soviet graphic tension. Sharp, dark architectural elements — resembling a stylised pen nib on the left and a pencil on the right — dynamically frame a tight-knit group of young soldiers behind strands of barbed wire. Breaking directly through this industrial confinement is a brilliantly saturated, hand-painted rainbow: a symbol heavily associated with the global Youth Festivals and peace movements of the era, drawing direct inspiration from the cultural momentum of the 1985 World Festival of Youth and Students. Voievoda textures the backdrop with deep scratch-like woodcut patterns, contrasting the coldness of wartime separation with the vivid, colourful brushstrokes of a generation refusing to surrender hope. The result is a poster that operates simultaneously as propaganda, as graphic art, and as an elegy.

Printed in Kyiv with a print run of 21,000 copies, this is a collectible artefact of late-Soviet Ukrainian graphic culture — produced at the precise moment the USSR was beginning to fracture, and Ukrainian cultural identity was reasserting itself through art.

Item Details

Title: «Вірними залишимося» (We Shall Remain Faithful)
Year of Publication: 1989 (submitted for typesetting: 31 January 1989; approved for print: 8 April 1989)
Publisher: Ukrreklamfilm (Укррекламфільм), Kyiv, Ukrainian SSR
Director: Andrei Malyukov
Production: Mosfilm / Dovzhenko Film Studios / Bulgaria, Poland, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Spain
Artist: Y. Voievoda (Ю. П. Воєвода)
Origin: Ukrainian SSR (Soviet Union)
Medium: Offset lithograph on paper
Language: Ukrainian
Size: 60 × 84 cm (23.6 × 33.1 in)
Print Run: 21,000 copies

Condition

Good vintage condition for a 35+ year-old piece. The colours remain remarkably punchy and vivid, especially the hand-painted texture of the rainbow. There are small tears on the right margin text border and a small clean split at the centre-bottom border near the publisher’s mark — both visible in the photographs. Minor corner creasing and light handling wear exist along the borders, which will flatten or be fully concealed once framed. The verso shows light, even toning consistent with 1989 paper stock, with no major staining or structural compromise. Please refer to the photographs for a full and accurate representation of the item’s current state.

Shipping & Packaging

Your order will be processed and dispatched within 1–3 business days.

This poster will be carefully rolled in acid-free tissue paper and shipped from Sarajevo in a heavy-duty, reinforced mailing tube to prevent any creasing or edge damage.

All shipments include a tracking number so you can follow your artwork’s journey from our door to yours.

Standard delivery is via registered post (BH Pošta) and usually arrives within 1–4 weeks, depending on your location.

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Please note that international buyers are responsible for any potential customs fees or import taxes.

Framing

Professional framing available upon request — contact us to discuss options.