The World Festival of Youth and Students is an international event, organized by the World Federation of Democratic Youth, (WFDY) a left-wing youth organization. The United Nations has named it as an international youth non-governmental organization (NGO). The first Festival took place in 1947 in Prague. It was organized by the  WFDY and its international partner organizations.

This collectible and optimistic 1978 poster was sponsored by US National Preparatory Committee and celebrates the 11th Festival of the WFDY which was held in Cuba. The 18th World Festival was held in Quito, Ecuador in December of 2013.

The image of a hand holding a flower is a symbol of non-violent protest against war. The Flower Power movement was birthed in Berkeley, California as means of symbolic protest against the Vietnam War. According to beatnik writer Allen Ginsberg, in his November 1965 essay titled How to make a March/ Spectacle, in which he promoted the use of “masses of flowers” to hand to policemen, press, politicians and spectators to civilly fight violence with peace. The use of nonviolent objects such as toys, flags, candy and music were meant so that their movement was not associated with anger or violence. This image continues that association eighteen years after Ginsberg's essay and you can continue to be inspired every time you look at this wonderful poster.

Dimensions: 17" x 22" This poster is sold unframed. (Please note there is a crease in the top left hand corner than is not noticeable from a distance.)

Thanks to the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) who donated a series of great posters to our auction, this piece of rare visual history can be part of your own collection. SWOP is a statewide multi-racial, multi-issue, community based membership organization. Visit them through www.facebook.com/swopista or through www.abqpeaceandjustice.org to find out more information.