Amerika (magazine)

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Amerika (in Russian: Америка) was a Russian-language magazine published by the U.S. Department of State for readers in the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Its goal was to show Soviet people what life in the United States looked like, with stories about everyday American life, profiles of famous Americans and institutions, and plenty of photos. It was known for high-quality printing and was sometimes described as polite propaganda.

The magazine ran from 1944 to 1994, publishing 454 issues. It began with 10,000 copies, which sold out quickly, and by 1947 the print run rose to 50,000. Publication paused in 1952 as the United States turned more to radio, but four years later the two governments swapped magazines, and Amerika was revived in the U.S.–Soviet exchange. It again became very popular.

In addition to features, Amerika published translations of American literature in Russian, including poetry by émigré writers such as Ivan Elagin and Nikolai Morshen. Notable contributors included Jane Jacobs, who wrote about urban planning, and Marion K. Sanders, who edited the magazine from 1946 to 1952. A Polish edition circulated as well, edited by Antoni Koper from 1958 to 1972.

The 1987 edition celebrated the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution, with Robert Poteete as editor-in-chief. The final issue appeared in October 1994. Archival copies, including full Russian editions and translations, are kept in U.S. archives.