News

News

The First World War in Postcards

The 1 of August, 2014, is the 100^th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War. On the eve of the event the Museum collection was added with a 53 postcards published in the Russian Empire in 1914 – 1917. These valuable historic documents is a reminder of the tragic days of the bygone era.

The postcards supplied with statements about the war show portraits of the war heroes, political figures; moments of combat operations and rest of the soldiers; scenes of patriotism of Russian soldiers and Cossacks. The black-and-white and colour postcards made by A.Shneider, E.Krasnushkina, B.Barnet, S.Rodionov and other artists call for donations and assistance. As well, there are caricatures of the German emperor Wilhelm II with satirical captions deriding the enemy.

Some of the postcards are published by public and religious organizations: Committee for Relief to the Fighters for Their Country, Russian Committee of the Red Cross, Community of the Sisters of Mercy, Committee of Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Tatiyana Nikolayevna to provide a temporary assistance to victims of war disasters, etc. They were intended to help the wounded soldiers, orphan children and refugees.

The postcards, as well as the photos and letters, show very accurately and completely the attitude to the war events and make bright witnesses of the First World War period.

Nataliya Tishchenko