Lapel pin - Misha bear olympic mascot
Object
Badge
Production date
1980
Object number
2024.191
Physical Description
Metal badge, in shape of standing cartoon bear 'Misha,' the olympic mascot for the 1980 summer olympics games. Around the midsection of the bear is a belt with the 5 olympic rings filled with their corresponding colours.
Object history
Designed by children’s illustrator Viktor Chizhikov, Misha the bear was the olympic mascot for the 1980 Moscow Olympic games. The 1980 games were subject to the largest ever boycott, with up to 65 countries not taking part following the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union in 1979. Despite this, Misha was a popular and commercial success. Writing in 2016 for the Huffington Post, Al Donato states “No other mascot has done more for its country than Misha from Moscow. As the smiling tiny bear touted as Russia's cuddly ambassador to the world, Misha served as a warm child-friendly sight as the peak of the Cold War.”
This badge was owned by Hackney councillor Peter Kahn. Hackney was a 'linked district' with Krasnaya Presnya, then in the Soviet Union (USSR). As part of the twinning, Peter visited Moscow as part of a twinning delegation, and hosted representatives while visiting in Hackney.
This badge was owned by Hackney councillor Peter Kahn. Hackney was a 'linked district' with Krasnaya Presnya, then in the Soviet Union (USSR). As part of the twinning, Peter visited Moscow as part of a twinning delegation, and hosted representatives while visiting in Hackney.
Associated Person
Peter Kahn (Owner)
Associated Place
Russia (Place)
Material
Metal
Dimension
Height: 37mm
Width: 20mm
Width: 20mm
On display?
No