Intourist - Le couple Circa 1970

This striking 1970s original Soviet travel poster, produced by Intourist — the official state travel agency of the USSR — captures a moment of joyful anticipation and curious exploration. At the heart of the design is a playful interaction between a young woman and man, stylishly dressed in mid-century attire, animatedly engaging with a detailed map of the Soviet Union.

The map, densely filled with names and routes, represents the vastness and complexity of the USSR. Superimposed over it, the couple — rendered in vivid color against the monochrome cartography — evokes the cosmopolitan promise of Soviet tourism: modern, youthful, and adventurous. The red triangular marker they focus on draws attention to a specific destination, symbolizing both a literal place and a larger invitation to explore the breadth of the socialist world.

Intourist, founded in 1929, was a powerful instrument of cultural diplomacy. Posters like this one functioned not only as advertisements but as ideological statements: showcasing the Soviet Union as accessible, dynamic, and open to foreign curiosity — albeit under strict supervision. The clean, modern aesthetic echoes the international design language of the time, subtly aligning Soviet modernity with global visual trends.

This poster reflects the late 1960s and early 1970s moment when controlled openness and soft power became key tools in Cold War cultural competition. It speaks to a carefully curated image of the USSR: a nation of infrastructure, culture, and sophistication, where even tourists could participate in the grand Soviet experiment.

A collectible piece of Cold War-era travel ephemera, this poster distills utopian wanderlust and ideological hospitality into a single, stylish image.

Tourism - Map - USSR - Russia

Very good condition