The purpose of the article is to investigate the peculiarities of the national Ukrainian culture in the artistic design of the editions of the Kharkov cooperative publishing house «Rukh».
Research methods: Empirical-theoretical methods of analysis, synthesis, deduction are used. From the theoretical methods, a description and interpretation is applied. The use of these methods made it possible to prove that the publications of the Kharkov cooperative publishing house «Rukh» are a highly cultured artistic product, shrouded in the aura of the traditions of Ukrainian culture.
It is proved that in the 20-ies. XX century. around the «Rukh» united a circle of like-minded writers, critics, editors, illustrators. Book covers were made by M. Samokish, S. Borovoy, V. Krichevsky. It is established that in the graphic design of the editions the editors used font ensembles, decorative elements and other visual materials created by the most prominent representatives of the artistic circles, in which the Ukrainian tradition is traced. In the design of covers used a variety of frames, ornaments of vegetable origin, stylized with letters. At the same time, minimalism of forms, compositions in a black and white version was quite common.
Attention is focused on the works of the famous graphs of the era of the Ukrainian revival, created by the order of the Kharkiv cooperative publishing house «Rukh». The features of the national Ukrainian culture in the artistic design of publications are analyzed. Illustrations, graphic elements, style of execution and technique of the Ukrainian artists cooperating with the publishing house are characterized.
The study significantly expands the view on publishing at the stage of the formation of Soviet power. The results can be used to write textbooks and teaching aids on cultural studies, the history of publishing and the history of Ukraine.