This 1975 Soviet postcard depicts the building of Secondary School No. 1 named after A. M. Gorky in Krasnodon (now Sorokyne), famous as the school where most members of the underground “Young Guard” organization studied.
What is shown on the postcard
The foreground shows a group of Soviet pioneers in ceremonial uniforms with red ties and caps marching with a banner in front of the school. The two-story school building features tall vertical windows and a decorative Soviet relief above the main entrance. A red sign reading “GLORY TO THE CPSU” (СЛАВА КПСС) is mounted on the roof. The area in front of the building is paved, surrounded by lush green trees.
Historical note
Built in the 1930s and named after Maxim Gorky, the school became prominent during World War II. During the German occupation of the city (1942–1943), several graduates and students of this school formed the core of the anti-fascist underground youth group “Young Guard”. Post-war, the building was designated a historical heritage site, and a school museum dedicated to the Young Guard was established inside.
Present day
The school building has preserved its mid-20th-century Soviet architecture. It still operates as School No. 1 and features memorial plaques dedicated to the executed underground fighters. In 2016, the city of Krasnodon was officially renamed Sorokyne by the Ukrainian government under decommunization laws, though it remains under de facto Russian occupation since 2014.
Location (map)
Address: 1 Sadova Street, Sorokyne (Krasnodon), Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine
Coordinates: 48.298200, 39.739200
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates of School No. 1 named after A. M. Gorky in Krasnodon (Sorokyne).
Questions and answers
- Which educational institution is shown on the postcard? The postcard depicts Secondary School No. 1 named after A. M. Gorky in Krasnodon (now Sorokyne).
- Who is pictured in front of the school building? A group of Soviet pioneers in ceremonial uniforms marching with a red banner is pictured in the foreground.
- What is the historical significance of this school? Many of its graduates and students formed the core of the anti-fascist underground resistance group “Young Guard” during the WWII occupation (1942–1943).
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Sorokyne from 1975.
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