Дума про Опанаса, poem by Eduard Bagritsky. Moscow: Государственное издательство Художественная литература, 1937. Russian.

A poem by the Jewish-Russian poet Eduard Bagritsky (Эдуа́рд Гео́ргиевич Багри́цкий; 1885-1934), describing the experiences of Ukrainians in their struggle during the Russian Civil War. The hero of the poem, Opanas, a peasant boy who dreams of a simple and peaceful farmer's life, finds himself involved in the struggle between various political and ideological forces: the Bolsheviks, the revolutionaries and the Makhnovists (followers of Nestor Makhno). Among others, he meets the Jewish commissar Joseph Kogan, who represents Bolshevik values and promotes world revolution.

In 1949, years after the poet's death, the poem was declared in the Soviet press as a work that offends the dignity of the Ukrainian people and promotes Zionist ideology.

The book features a color cover and several printed plates with black and white illustrations by Alexander Tyshler.

23, [1] pages + [5] plates. 20 cm. Good condition. Minor blemishes to binding; book cover and first and last leaves detached.

Alexander Tyshler (Александр Григорьевич Тышлер, 1898-1980) was a painter, graphic artist, sculptor and stage designer. Born to a Jewish family in Melitopol, Ukraine. Studied at the art school in Kiev and then at VKhUTEMAS in Moscow. In the 1920s he was associated with various avant-garde groups, including Kultur-Lige. Tyshler's unique style combined elements of cubism, surrealism and Jewish folk art. He is especially known for his theater designs.