Moscow 1958 in photographs by Erich Lessing

Erich Lessing was born in Vienna, but in 1939, fleeing from the Nazi regime, he emigrated. His father had already died by that time, and his mother, remaining in Vienna, later died in Auschwitz. It was during the Second World War, when Lessing served in the British Army, that his career as a photographer began - he also documented events. Erich Lessing would later say that he "came to realize his childhood dream in a very sad way, but this meeting with himself was fateful."

By that time, Lessing was already well known. In the late 40s ‑ 50s he worked as a photojournalist for the Associated Press. His reports were published in the magazines Heute, Quick, Life, Paris Match, Epoca, New York Times.

In the second half of the 1950s, after the death of Stalin and the xxth Congress of the CPSU, the Iron curtain opened a little, and representatives of the Western press had the opportunity to visit the countries of the socialist camp. Erich Lessing got into the company with the American actor Bob Hope, who was shooting a documentary.

The workers are watching the artist's work with interest.

We are standing at the shrine, and here all sorts of people have come: they take pictures wherever they get.

Belorusskaya metro station.

At the window.

GUM.

The girl is trying very hard in front of the camera.

Bob Hope at work.

Bob Hope buys shapka.

We need to check if it fits well.

Hope is on the subway.

Reading country.

Mathematics.

Street kebabs.

In the Museum of the Revolution.

The boy examines street cartoons on topical topics.

Somewhere in the center.

Different people.

Bird Market — wonderful photos.

Guys.

Pupils.

The Museum of the Revolution again.

Waiting for an appointment.

"Elections" to local authorities.

Bob, meanwhile, is working.

May Day parade.

At a fashion show.

Visit of Egyptian friend Gamal Abdel Nasser.

Extras.

Nasser smiles and waves.

The people are also smiling, a distinguished guest has arrived by the First of May.

Nasser also communicates with the holy relics.

The public is watching.

And applauds approvingly, the police are vigilant.

Nasser is pleased.

Khrushchev is eating something.

It's raining.

Workers demonstrate with portraits.

Another parade.

Nasser is performing.

Belorusskaya metro station.

Traffic controller on Red Square.