Though the Soviet Union may have been famed for its frigid winters, living there throughout the 1970s was a whole lot more than braving sub-zero temperatures. Don't believe us? Just ask the beach-going, camping, and school-attending folks who once called the transcontinental country home.
From beach days to a polar bear's lunchtime, here are 25 photos of what life looked like in 1970s Soviet Union.
1
Cold Ones
“USSR, draft beer saleswoman. The container (here - glass jars, three liters) was supposed to be brought by the buyer. Circa 1970s.”
2
Taking a Dive
“Soviet diver in a heavy diving suit. 1970s.”
3
Snacktime
“Astonishing photo showing a man feeding a polar bear and his cubs with milk, Russia, late 1970s.”
4
Radio Star
“My grandfather, the spring of 1972 (from my granny’s words). Both pics were taken in The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, the city of Kharkiv, where he lived and worked with radio electronics.”
5
“Soviet Fashion”
“1970, Armenia, with parents and younger brother.”
6
It Takes A Village
“Village get-together.”
7
Camp Out
Tourists sit in front of a tent set up in Transcarpathia.
8
Demonstrations
“Punks at a protest in Moscow. [late 1970’s?].”
9
Garden Walk
Two women enjoy a stroll through Summer Garden in St. Petersburg.
10
Behind the Scenes
“Actresses Iya Savvina and Elena Koreneva on the set of the film 'Romance for Lovers.’”
11
Hairspray
Two women hit their hair with some serious spray during a styling competition.
12
Dinner Party
Soviet folks enjoy a meal, date unknown.
13
School’s In Session
“English lesson in a Soviet school, 1970s.”
14
They Do
“My dad and mom on their wedding day, USSR, Ukraine, 1971.”
15
Hangin’ Around
“Soviet childhood from a girl called Dasha, around the 1970s.”
16
Uncle Frost
“1976. I was very excited to meet Uncle Frost (Soviet version of Santa Claus) at the New Year celebration. I'm wearing a home-made costume of a rabbit.”
17
Sochi Summers
“Promenade in Sochi, the largest resort city in Russia. 1973.”
18
Bootleg Tunes
“A bootleg copy of Led Zeppelin IV distributed in the Soviet Union (1971).”
19
Just Playin’
“My dad on his toy truck. Circa 1976, Soviet Latvia.”
20
The Vine
“Grape harvest in the Moldavian SSR, Soviet Union (1972).”
21
Flying High
“Moscow, 1972.”
22
Getting Ready
“A woman in the bedroom of her condo in Moscow, 1971.”
23
In the Cold
“Waiting for your date in soviet winter, 1970.”
24
Paying Respects
“Funeral of my grandmother, 1977, Yakut ASSR, Soviet Union.”
25
Little Bear
“1977. New Year celebration in a Soviet kindergarten. I'm the bear in the middle. My mom made the costume. Other boys are horses or rabbits, girls are the Snowgirls (Snegurochky). Everyone looks very happy and excited, as always. Kyiv, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.”
