Who is Uncle Styopa? 5 facts about Soviet most famous policeman (PICS)

1. Uncle Styopa is a hero for all kids

‘Dyadya Styopa’ (‘Uncle Styopa’) is a poem about a brave militiaman (policeman) named Stepan Stepanov. A young journalist and writer named Sergei Mikhalkov came up with the idea when he was working as a tutor in a children's summer camp. At that time, he was only 22 years old. 

Sergei Mikhalkov (left) meeting Soviet pioneers, 1955

After communicating with the young pioneers, Mikhalkov wanted to create a character who performed real feats, was close to children and served as an example to them. The poem became a true classic of Soviet children's poetry and Mikhalkov's first known work.

2. An entire generation grew up with ‘Uncle Styopa’

Illustration of Yevgeny Migunov (From Cinema Museum collection)

Mikhalkov tells the story of a policeman's life in four poems: ‘Uncle Styopa’, ‘Uncle Styopa the Policeman’, ‘Uncle Styopa and Egor’ and ‘Uncle Styopa the Veteran’. The first poem was published in 1935 and the last – in 1981. 

The character was beloved by young Soviet citizens and a whole generation grew up on this work. Uncle Styopa became ingrained in memory, gradually turning him into a true national hero.

3. Gentle giant

A still from 'Uncle Styopa the Policeman' Soviet animated movie

The most distinctive feature of Uncle Styopa is that he is extremely tall and, when walking from work, everyone can see him from a mile away. By the way, Sergei Mikhalkov himself was not small in height, about 190 cm. 

There are other traits of the author that he reflected in the character: Uncle Styopa was also looking for his way in life, changing several professions, heroically participating in the battles of World War II, finding his true professional vocation and finding family happiness.

4. ‘Uncle Styopa’ & Soviet anthem have the same author

Sergei Mikhalkov at work

Sergei Mikhalkov received his first ‘Order of Lenin’ for ‘Uncle Styopa’. Subsequently, he received three more of these orders and many other high state awards and wrote a large number of very famous poems and fables for children. In addition, Mikhalkov wrote plays and movie scripts (both his sons Nikita Mikhalkov and Andrei Konchalovsky became famous movie directors in their own right).

However, Sergei Mikhalkov is best known as the author of the lyrics to the anthems of the USSR and the modern Russian Federation.

5. Drawn by the famous artist

Cover of the first publication. Illustrations by Aminadav Kanevsky

The poem's first publication in the ‘Pioneer’ magazine had no illustrations. Benjamin Ivanter, the editor-in-chief at the time, liked the work so much that he printed the poem in the very next issue, without waiting for drawings. 

Illustration by Aminadav Kanevsky

A year later, the ‘Detizdat’ publishing house issued ‘Uncle Styopa’ as a separate book with illustrations by famous artist Aminadav Kanevsky. All Soviet children would go on to remember the famous policeman through the imagery of this artist. By the way, Kanevsky created another iconic Soviet character named Murzilka for the children's magazine of the same name. 

‘Gateway to Russia’ is grateful to the State Literary Museum for its help in preparing the material. 

On June 5, the ‘Citizen of Big Growth: Uncle Stupa turns 90!’ exhibition will go on display at the museum’s main building in Moscow.