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Likbez Collection

Likbez, short for "likvidatsiya bezgramotnosti" in Russian, was a campaign launched in the early 1920s to combat illiteracy in the Soviet Union

Background imageLikbez Collection: To have more, we must produce more. To produce more, it is necessary to know more, 1920

To have more, we must produce more. To produce more, it is necessary to know more, 1920. Found in the collection of the Russian State Library, Moscow

Background imageLikbez Collection: The Young Communist Dunya, 1928. Creator: Sokolov, Mikhail Georgiyevich (1875-1953)

The Young Communist Dunya, 1928. Creator: Sokolov, Mikhail Georgiyevich (1875-1953)
The Young Communist Dunya, 1928. Found in the collection of Russian State Library, Moscow

Background imageLikbez Collection: In the Village Reading Room, 1927. Creator: Bauskin, Vasily Stepanovich (1898-1952)

In the Village Reading Room, 1927. Creator: Bauskin, Vasily Stepanovich (1898-1952)
In the Village Reading Room, 1927. Found in the collection of Russian State Library, Moscow

Background imageLikbez Collection: Long Live the Sun! Hide the Darkness!, 1921. Creator: Simakov, Ivan Vasilievich (1877-1925)

Long Live the Sun! Hide the Darkness!, 1921. Creator: Simakov, Ivan Vasilievich (1877-1925)
Long Live the Sun! Hide the Darkness!, 1921. Private Collection

Background imageLikbez Collection: Woman, learn to read and write!, 1924. Creator: Kruglikova

Woman, learn to read and write!, 1924. Creator: Kruglikova
Woman, learn to read and write!, 1924. Found in the collection of Russian State Library, Moscow

Background imageLikbez Collection: Books are the Source of Knowledge. Citizens, Save the Libraries, 1920

Books are the Source of Knowledge. Citizens, Save the Libraries, 1920. Found in the collection of Russian State Library, Moscow

Background imageLikbez Collection: Literacy - the road to communism, 1920. Creator: Anonymous

Literacy - the road to communism, 1920. Creator: Anonymous
Literacy - the road to communism, 1920. Private Collection

Background imageLikbez Collection: The fight against illiteracy. Illustration from USSR Builds Socialism, 1933. Creator: Lissitzky

The fight against illiteracy. Illustration from USSR Builds Socialism, 1933. Creator: Lissitzky
The fight against illiteracy. Illustration from USSR Builds Socialism, 1933. Found in the Collection of Russian State Library, Moscow

Background imageLikbez Collection: A Book Is Nothing But a Man Speaking Publically, 1920

A Book Is Nothing But a Man Speaking Publically, 1920. Private Collection

Background imageLikbez Collection: Active, learn!, 1927

Active, learn!, 1927. Found in the Collection of Russian State Library, Moscow

Background imageLikbez Collection: Do you help to liquidate illiteracy?, 1925. Artist: Anonymous

Do you help to liquidate illiteracy?, 1925. Artist: Anonymous
Do you help to liquidate illiteracy?, 1925. Found in the collection of the Russian State Library, Moscow

Background imageLikbez Collection: Poster to the fight against illiteracy, 1918. Artist: Apsit, Alexander Petrovich (1880-1944)

Poster to the fight against illiteracy, 1918. Artist: Apsit, Alexander Petrovich (1880-1944)
Poster to the fight against illiteracy, 1918. Found in the collection of the Russian State Library, Moscow

Background imageLikbez Collection: Likbez. Scholars at a factory building, 1930

Likbez. Scholars at a factory building, 1930
Likbez. Scholars at a factory building



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Likbez, short for "likvidatsiya bezgramotnosti" in Russian, was a campaign launched in the early 1920s to combat illiteracy in the Soviet Union. The goal was to eradicate illiteracy and promote education among the population. Through various initiatives such as literacy classes, mobile libraries, and propaganda campaigns, likbez successfully increased literacy rates across the country. The impact was profound, as it not only improved individual lives by providing access to education but also contributed to social and economic development on a larger scale. By empowering people with knowledge and skills, likbez helped create a more educated workforce and fostered intellectual growth within society. Although likbez officially ended in the 1940s, its legacy continues to be felt today through ongoing efforts to promote literacy and education worldwide. The importance of combating illiteracy cannot be understated, as it is essential for individuals to have the ability to read, write, and think critically in order to fully participate in society. Likbez serves as a reminder of the power of education and the transformative impact it can have on individuals and communities. It stands as a testament to what can be achieved when we prioritize learning and strive towards creating a more literate world for all.